Dona Marie Geeding

Dona Marie (Harshman) Geeding passed away quietly in her sleep at home on August 11, 2021, at the age of 94.

Dona was born on October 13, 1926 in Griggsville, IL. She graduated from Olivet Nazarene University, Class of 1948 and later received a Masters in Business Administration from University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh. She was a proud member of Phi Beta Kappa.

Dona dedicated her life to her family and to education. She taught English and Business Classes in the Griggsville IL, Beardstown IL Oneida, IL (R.O.V.A.) and Menasha Wisconsin School Systems. The English teacher in her never left, as her children fondly remember her still correcting their grammar for years.

At Menasha High School, Dona headed the Business Administration Department. Her progressive approach initiated the Multi-Station Bookkeeping Concept. Her articles on the subject were published in The Journal of Business Education. The model she developed was viewed by visiting teachers from around the country. It also incorporated the self-paced study/testing format so often used online today. Dear to her heart was the department’s Capstone Program where she interfaced with businesses in the community to provide students an opportunity to highlight their High School accomplishments onsite. Dona also taught at Fox Valley Technical College where she was awarded the Instructional Excellence Award in 1993. For years she was warmly remembered and acknowledged by her students.

Dona found success in many hobbies, including gourmet cooking and the designing, baking and decorating of theme cakes. Everyone made note of her singing voice. She had a trained voice and was often a featured soloist in her church’s choir. She was an avid quilter and very fond of the friendships she made in the Fox Valley Quilters Guild. Her beautiful and prize winning quilts lovingly adorned her and her children’s homes.

Dona was preceded in death by her parents: Mildred and Wayne Harshman; sisters: Doris, Pat and Virginia; brothers: Jack and William; and husband: W. Laurence Geeding. She is survived by her brother: Wayne “Bud” Harshman, Dixon IL; Children: Cameron Geeding, wife Rain, Oshkosh, WI, Cambria Mares, Menasha WI and Curtis Geeding, Plymouth, MN; Grandchildren: Trenton Mares, fiancé Jade of Berlin WI., and Keaton Mares, wife Billy of Big Timber, MT.

Dona will be laid to rest with her husband of 64 years at Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, King, WI during a private family ceremony.