Donna L. Abitz

Donna L. Abitz (Verjinski) went to be with her Lord on February 23, 2026. She was born to Leonard and Ilma (Eilts) Verjinski on April 18, 1946, in Wisconsin Rapids. Donna enjoyed growing up in Wisconsin Rapids and during her time in high school she taught swimming and worked as a lifeguard, as well as danced ballet. She was the champion diver of the Tri City Divers. Donna graduated from Lincoln High School then packed up and moved to Appleton where she attended beautician school. She married Jim Fischer and they had a daughter, Jennifer, together. Later, she met and married the love of her life Wilbert “Bill” Abitz and they shared 42 wonderful years together.

Donna and Bill loved to travel across the US together, especially spending time at their cabin in the Wisconsin north woods. She loved birdwatching and had several birdfeeders in the yard. Donna was a very warm, helpful, and giving person who spent her life caring for those around her. She loved to spread her wisdom upon anyone who would listen.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Wilbert “Bill” Abitz; parents, Leonard and Ilma Verjinski; and great-grandson Jameson Sommers.

She will be greatly missed by her daughter, Jennifer (Steve) Schaenzer; bonus son, Kurt (Carol) Sommers; grandchildren, Skylar Sommers, Madison Sommers, Jordan Schaenzer, and Megan (Mason Wolter) Schaenzer; stepchildren, Perry (Therese) Abitz and Tony (Linda) Abitz; step-grandchildren, Tony (Crystal) Abitz, Robert (Alexandria) Abitz, Joe (Amanda) Abitz, Luke (Bethany) Abitz, Claire (Christopher Brooks) Abitz, Faye (Oscar) Jackson, and Grace Abitz; many great-grandchildren; siblings, Dean (Marie) Verbinski, Susan (Kenneth Hetzel) Fravert, Gary (Debra Jaborek) Verjinski, and Jody (Ed) Manz; and many nieces, nephews, and close friends, especially Dave and Sue Ebben, Bob and Judy Pautz and Judy Whitney.

A memorial service for Donna will be held on Friday, March 6, at 11:00 AM, at Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church, 530 W. Parkway blvd, Appleton. A visitation will be held prior from 9:00 to 11:00 AM.