Donna Kay Ableman

PORTAGE – Donna Kay Ableman died at her apartment in Portage, Wisconsin on Dec. 4, 2022.

She was born Nov. 21, 1938, at Divine Savior Hospital in Portage, WI to Harry A. and Iva (Stevens) Grunke from the Village of Endeavor, WI. Donna was the proverbial middle child, 4 years younger than her ‘idol’ big sister, Lada, and 4 years older than her little brother, Steve. She attended the Endeavor and Portage
schools and married Richard (Dick) Rhode after high school. They had two sons, David and Brian. She lived in Madison with her two sons for many years. In 1981, she married William (Bill) Ableman and incorporated 6 more sons into her family. Donna and Bill lived in Cambridge, Wisconsin for over 20 years.

Burial will be held at 11 AM on June 28 th , 2025, at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Endeavor, Wisconsin.

Donna was survived by one son, David Dwaine Rhode, 6 Ableman stepsons: Bill Jr. (Liz), Mike, Scott (Harmony), Chris (Doreen), Dan (Dawn), and Rick (Shelly); Grandchildren: Rachel (Casey) Diekman, Gretchen Rohde, Company First Sargent USMC David Richard (Kori) Rhode, and Cody Rhode (AK) and great grandchildren: Blakeley Diekman, Josephine Diekman, Shaylynn Rohde, and Braeden Rhode. Also, survived by sister-in-law, Jane Fullerton, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends who will miss her cards, phone calls and steadiness. She will be remembered for her wonderful gift of selecting just the right present for the occasion and staying in touch with everyone. She is preceded in death by her husband, Bill (July 6, 2019); a son, Brian Rhode (Jan. 8, 2021) of Anchorage, AK; and one grandson, Jesse Rhode (2005) also of Anchorage, AK; her ex-husband, Richard (Dick) Rhode (11/12/1994); her sister, Lada Armson & brother-in-law, Paul Armson; her brother, Steven Grunke; and her parents. David Dwaine Rhode (Greenwood, Indiana) subsequently died on April 12, 2023.

Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.