Donna Jean Mies

Donna Jean Mies (Tschirgi), age 84 of Appleton, WI peacefully joined her heavenly kingdom on January 23, 2024 after a battle with a long-term illness.  She was born to Frank and Clara (Kohler) Tschirgi on December 19, 1939 in Neenah, WI.  She graduated from Menasha High School with the class of ’58 and went on to work at Marathon for a short while.  Donna met the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Mies, and they were married in November of 1961.  Together, they raised 4 wonderful children.  

Donna was first and foremost a caregiver.  She looked out for everyone from her kids and grandkids to her dogs and complete strangers.   She was loving and welcoming to everyone.  Donna enjoyed baking for her family.  She especially loved making pumpkin bars and sandwich spread.  You could often find Donna listening and dancing to Elvis, her favorite musician.  She liked reading books and comics and often spent time testing her mind with crossword puzzles.  Donna was devout Christian and a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Menasha.   When Donna was younger, she liked going out bowling with Bob, and when their kids came into the picture, Donna cherished her time going to the movies with Bob and especially looked forward to Saturday game night with her family.  She was a proud supporter of the Chicago Bears and defended them whenever she could.  More than anything, though, Donna loved her family, and treasured her time with her husband, her kids, her grandkids, and her great-grandkids.

Donna will be deeply missed by her husband, Bob Mies; her children, Allan (S.O. Chris) Mies, Tammy (Anthony) Iversen, Christine (Vern) Voigt, and Kevin “Seven Eleven” (Jamie) Mies; her best friend and faithful furry companion, Teddy; her grandchildren, Samantha, Jeremy, Scotty, Miley, Nathaniel, Joshua, Gabrielle, Jordyn, Kia, Faith, and Jacob; her special granddogs, Magnum and Zelda; 7 great-grandchildren; her brother, Bud (Joyce) Tschirgi; her sisters-in-law, Rosemary (William) O'Brien, Peggy (Roy) Fickel, Sue (Michael) Hostettler, and Janice (Jeff) Gleeson; her special cousin and friends, Donna Kohler and Dana Deschaine; as well as many nieces, nephews, other extended relatives, and dear friends. 

Donna is preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Clara Tschirgi; an infant child; her sister, Darlene (Tom McGinnis) Rasmussen; and her brother-in-law, Richard (Sharon) Mies.

A funeral visitation will be held for Donna on Thursday, February 1, 2024 from 9-11 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church, 300 Broad St, Menasha, WI 54952 with a funeral service to follow at 11 AM.  Donna will be laid to rest at Rest Haven Cemetery in Neenah, WI following the service. 

Donna’s family would like to extend a sincere thanks to ThedaCare at Home Hospice, especially Tess, Crystal, Caroline, Pastor Anthony, Julie, Father Ray, and Elvis John for all their care and compassion shown during Donna’s time of need.  

“Danke schön” - Mies