SPOONER, Wis. - Donna R. Lake, 77, of Spooner, formerly a longtime resident of Wakefield, Michigan, died on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at Glenview Assisted Living in Shell Lake, Wisconsin.

Donna was born on March 21, 1947, at the Wakefield Hospital, a daughter of Harold E. and Carol A. (Dahl) Lake. She was baptized and confirmed at the First Lutheran Church, (now All Saints Lutheran Church), in Wakefield.

Donna attended Wakefield High School and graduated in 1965. She continued her education at Gogebic Community College in Ironwood, Michigan, and graduated in 1967. Then, Donna attended Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan, and earned a Bachelor's Degree in education and graduated on June 2, 1969.

Donna started her working career in Ontonagon, Michigan, at the Ontonagon elementary school and taught second grade from August 1969, until June 1972. In August 1972, she accepted a position with the Department of Defense Overseas Teachers at Vilseck, Germany. In 1974, Donna transferred to Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan, where she was the team leader and second grade teacher for 1-Wing.

Returning to the United States, she became a temporary case worker for the Department of Social Services in Ontonagon. Then in 1978, Donna was successful in obtaining a contract bid from the U.S. Postal Service for mail delivery to Marenisco, Michigan, Bergland, Michigan, and Wakefield, including Lake Gogebic and Merriweather, and later Stateline Lake and Ojibway Correctional Facility were added to her route. She gave up the contract and retired on April 1, 2009.

In 2018, Donna moved from Wakefield to Spooner to be closer to her daughter and her family and became a faithful member of Faith Lutheran Church.

Donna is survived by a daughter, Lori (Bill) Allard; four grandchildren, Christian Babich, Alyssa Babich, Rayden Allard and Rowyn Allard; a sister, Jean (Tim) MacLeod; two aunts, Corrine Lake and Freya Lake; and many dear cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Glen Peterson; many aunts and uncles; and a cousin.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, July 19, at 11 a.m., at the Lakeside Cemetery in Wakefield. The Rev. Brent Berkesch, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church, will officiate. Interment will follow.

A luncheon will be served at the Club 28 in Wakefield, immediately upon return from the cemetery.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield. To send online condolences please go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.