Donna Mae Warmbier

Donna Warmbier, 89, passed away surrounded in love on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.  She was born November 22, 1936, in Dale, the daughter of Harry and Alice (Moder) Leppla.  Donna married La Vern Warmbier on August 25, 1956, and together they shared 58 wonderful years before he passed away on February 12, 2015. 

Donna enjoyed music and was quite an accomplished accordion player, playing in a band during her later teens and early twenties.  Her love for music continued throughout her life. Sharing music at family reunions and countless family gatherings alongside her dad, sisters and anyone else who wanted to join in.  She was also a gifted cook and baker.  You could count on packages of cookies in her freezer ready to send and share with whomever stopped by.  Food was her love language and if you were lucky enough to sample her Easter coffee cake, carrot cake, triple berry pie or cookies, you could taste that love!   She graced the kitchen of a number of area restaurants with particularly fond memories of Left Guard/ Martine’s Restaurant in Appleton where she served as the breakfast cook for many years. When she finally retired, she stayed connected to her love language of food and volunteered at St. Joe's Food Pantry and also gave back to the community through donating blood.

She was an active member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Appleton. Working with the quilters, volunteering in the kitchen, supporting fundraisers, and anyone who went on a Mission Trip knew that she would be there to see the group off with a big bucket of chocolate chip cookies for their travels!

She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and in retirement, she and La Vern spent countless hours on bleachers and sidelines supporting and cheering on their grandchildren. Many special family memories were made and will be forever cherished on vacation at Christmas Mountain Village. She was deeply loved and will be just as deeply missed.

Donna is survived by her children: Julie Fischer, Lynn Warmbier-Munger, Cindy (Michael) Warmbier-Meyer, and Rick (Susan) Warmbier; grandchildren: Jason (Molly), Jeremy (Katie), Ryan (Abby), Seth, Justin (Ashley), Jade (Derek), Jordan (Danielle), and Taylor (Teagan); great grandchildren: Landen, Zaiyn, Atlas, Ember, Haevyn, Brixsyn, Lennyx, and Brayden; a brother, Jim (Jackie) Leppla; a brother-in-law, Ed (Janet) Warmbier; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to her husband, Donna was preceded in death by her parents; sisters: Betty (Harry) Arndt, Carolyn (Sollie Solomon, John) Langner, and Carla (Ron) Wege; sisters-in-law: Ruby (Eugene) Kramer and Sally (Pete) Flease.   

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 3009 N. Meade Street, with Rev. Kemp Jones officiating.  Interment will be in Dale Union Cemetery.  Visitation will be at the church from 9:30 a.m. Tuesday until the time of the service.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial is being established.

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