Donna Mae Lafave

Donna Mae LaFave of Gagetown, age 88, passed away on Friday, November 26, 2021 at Huron County Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe. Donna was born April 9, 1933 at home in Saginaw, delivered by her father, Martin A. Koenig, and her mother, Audra Mae (Baldridge) Koenig. As a teen, Donna was encouraged to start roller skating by her brother, Jack. She became an accomplished roller skater winning medals in competitive artistic roller skating. She graduated from Arthur Hill High School in Saginaw in 1951. On August 22, 1953, Paul J. LaFave and Donna Koenig were married at St. Steven Catholic Church in Saginaw. The couple cherished fifty-five years together before Paul's passing on October 7, 2008. During their lifetime together, Paul and Donna were often seen gracefully dancing on various dance floors throughout the Saginaw, Bay, Tuscola and Huron Counties. Donna worked for a collection agency and later at the Court Theater, both in Saginaw. She later was employed at Tuscola County Friend of the Court for twenty-seven years, first in accounting and later as home investigator and then in dispute resolution. She also served as interim Friend of the Court. Donna was active in Republican and Conservative politics. She was instrumental in orchestrating a fund raiser at the Colony House with Presidential Candidate Bob Dole in attendance. She attended a Gubernatorial Inauguration and a Presidential Inauguration with invitations to several balls throughout Washington D.C., along with her husband. After her retirement from the FOC in 2000, Donna rekindled her love of roller skating winning awards for her efforts. She roller skated until she was 81 years of age. Donna was a devout Catholic and enjoyed singing in the St. Agatha Church choir. She was a volunteer for St. Agatha's 4-H Club and was a 4-H judge in the spring sewing events. She was also on the C.A.N. Council and a juvenile mentor with Paul throughout Tuscola County. Donna is survived by her children, Deb (Ken) Haag, Jeanne (Jim) Brinkman, Cindy (Cas) Jurek, John (Pam) LaFave, and Robert (Renee) LaFave; grandchildren, Austin (Heather) Brinkman, Scott (Julie) Haag, Anthony Brinkman, Estee (Tyson) Bitzer, Adam Haag, Weston LaFave, Paris Jurek, Andrew (Aileen) LaFave, Trent LaFave, Kent LaFave, and step-grandson, Kurt (Alissa) Jurek; great-grandchildren, Jocelyn and Evelyn Mae LaFave, Ellie Ulfig, Klaudia Haag, and step-great-grandsons, Lincoln and Rowan Jurek; and one brother, Ronald Koenig. In addition to her parents and husband, Donna was preceded in death by her brother, Jack Koenig; and mother- and father-in-law. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 2, 2021 at St. Agatha Catholic Church in Gagetown with Rev. Theo Nnabugo officiating. Burial will follow the service at the church cemetery. The family will be present to receive friends at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the Thumb Animal Shelter, 2260 South Elkton Road, Elkton, MI 48731 or the Human Development Commission for the food kitchen or the domestic assault shelter. Visitation Information Date: Wednesday, December 1, 2021 Time: 4:00 pm End Time: 8:00 pm Ransford Collon Funeral Home Address: 989-673-2175 | Map The family will be present to receive friends at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Service Information Date: Thursday, December 2, 2021 Time: 11:00 am St. Agatha Parish Address: 4618 South Street Gagetown, MI 48735 A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 2, 2021 at St. Agatha Catholic Church in Gagetown with Rev. Theo Nnabugo officiating. Cemetery Information Date: Thursday, December 2, 2021 Burial will follow the service at the church cemetery.