Donna Marie Averbeck, 81, of Fond du Lac, passed away peacefully into God’s presence, Wednesday, May 9, 2012, surrounded by family.

She was born on January 2, 1931, in Fond du Lac, a daughter of Winfred R. and Estelle H. Micklos Schroeder. She graduated from Fond du Lac Senior High School in 1948.

On March 12, 1949, she married Earl W. Averbeck at St. Peter’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Fond du Lac.

Donna was a member of Covenant United Methodist Church for more than 60 years where she served as a dedicated choir member for over 50 years and was very active in the women’s circles. She was a recipient of Covenant United Methodist Church’s Woman of the Year award. Donna was a dedicated volunteer to The ARC of Fond du Lac and a recipient of an ARC volunteer award. She served as General Leader of Hands of Friendship 4-H Club for many years and was also a longtime member of Friendship Homemakers Club. Donna also volunteered for Loaves and Fishes and other local community services.

She loved to bake apple pies, pick strawberries, and make Christmas candy, all of which she generously shared with her family and friends. Donna was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who enjoyed spending time with her family.

She is survived by her husband, Earl; three children: William (Mona Sperger) Averbeck of Eldorado, Dr. Richard (Melinda Wynn) Averbeck of Pleasant Prairie, and Judith (Jim) Flood of Fond du Lac; nine grandchildren: Adam (Tami) Averbeck and their children, Sloan, A.J., and Brayden, Nicklas (fiancée Casey Maeder) Averbeck, Courtney Averbeck, Louis (Jenny) Averbeck, and their son, Garen, Nathan (Christina) Averbeck and their sons, Jaycob and Levi, Micah Averbeck, Jamie (Dave) VanDixhorn and their children, David and Anna, Sarah (Jason) Nelson and their children, Ella and Kolton, and Teresa (Cary) Sabish and their sons, Easton and Walker; a brother, David (Betty) Schroeder of Fond du Lac; and two sisters-in-law: Evelyn Averbeck and Joyce (Joe) Bishop.

She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant sister, Judith; and a brother-in-law, Ernst Averbeck.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 14, 2012, at Covenant United Methodist Church, 20 North Marr Street, Fond du Lac, with Rev. Michael Morning officiating. Burial will follow in Rienzi Cemetery.

The visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 13, 2012, at Mach Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 31 E. Division Street, Fond du Lac, and on Monday at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service.

Memorials may be directed to the The ARC of Fond du Lac.