Donna May Robertson

With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Donna Roberston was well known and loved by so many. She loved making others laugh with her jokes, and her zest for life was contagious to all who were near. Donna was deeply devoted to her family, and there was nothing she treasured more than being surrounded by their love. With a family that grew to include countless branches of loved ones, she was so proud to be a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Life will never be the same without Donna here, but the lives of so many will be forever changed because of her love.

The 1930s were a time unlike any other in American history as the entire decade was cloaked in the hardship of the Great Depression. A soaring unemployment rate caused great challenges among countless American families. Things only became more stressed with a crippling drought covered our nation’s heartland for nearly two years during this time. Despite the trials around them, Harry and Hazel VanPutten were able to shift their focus to an exciting time in their lives when they announced the birth of the baby girl they named Donna May on May 14, 1934. She was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and she was joined in her family by her sister, Betty and brothers, Dave and Thomas. Donna’s father worked for Steelcase while her mother was a homemaker. She attended local schools and graduated from Wyoming Park High School in 1951.

New and exciting changes were in store for Donna when she met and married the man who would forever hold the key to her heart. His name was Carl Gene Robertson, and they met at the Kalamazoo County State Hospital where they both worked as attendants. Donna worked on the female side while he worked on the male side. Sparks flew right from the start, and it didn’t take them long to fall in love. With the desire to spend the rest of their lives together Donna and and Carl were married on February 19, 1955. Since Carl worked as a carpenter, they built a few homes and moved around quite a bit. They spent some time living in a home he built on Crooked Lake in Mattawan, and when he built a home in Schoolcraft they moved there. Together they welcomed seven children including Barb, Deb, Brenda, Craig, Cathy, Steve and Diane into their hearts and home. Donna fully dedicated herself to her family, and she primarily focused her time and attention on their home. She was an amazing cook who loved her time in the kitchen. Around the holidays Donna was known for her “bully buns,” which were huge rolls that everyone loved. She looked forward to Halloween and Christmas, and all the decorations were always out.

Throughout her life Donna was a woman of many interests. She loved going up North to the Upper Peninsula, and she loved watching the sunsets in South Haven or anywhere on Lake Michigan. Donna was known for her green thumb, and she had plants everywhere. Donna was especially known for her roses, and she loved when others would admire them. She was a dog lover who always had at least one dog as a companion. Her most recent dogs were a Jack Russell terrier mix, and she pretty much adopted Max, Brenda’s little chihuahua. As her family and friends can attest, Donna loved fishing, and a perfect day in her book would be spent out on the covered bridge in Centerville. She also loved going out on her fishing boat. In addition to cooking and baking, Donna enjoyed sewing, knitting, crocheting, and painting. She did some wall art and painted ornaments for all the kids and some of the grandkids. Donna would paint whatever anyone wanted, and she never sold her art as she just did it for fun and to give away. She loved watching western television shows like Gunsmoke, and she would watch Golden Girls on Sundays and giggle at it all day long. Donna was longtime a member of the Portage Church of Christ.

All who knew Donna Roberston would agree that she was truly beautiful on the inside and out. She was fun-loving and full of jokes as she loved making others laugh. A loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Donna was truly extraordinary. She will never be forgotten.

Donna Roberston of Kalamazoo, MI, passed away on November 28, 2018 with her family by her side at the age of 84. Donna is survived by her children: Barb & Norm Constant, Deb Mathews, Brenda & Perry Stermer, Craig & Becky Roberston, Cathy & Bob Carey and Diane & Anthony Felicijan; 18 grandchildren; and 34 great grandchildren. Donna is preceded in death by her loving husband of 30 years: Carl Gene Robertson; son: Steve Robertson; and brother and sister-in-law: Thomas and Evelyn VanPutten. Family will receive friends on Saturday, December 1st from 10am to 11am with the service following at 11am at the McCowen and Secord Funeral Home, Rupert-Durham Chapel, 409 S. Main St. Vicksburg, MI 49097 (269-649-1697). Please visit Donna’s page at www.mccowensecord.com where you can read her life story, share a memory or photo, and sign the guestbook. Contributions may be made to the Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan or Beechwood Hills Christian Camp.