Donna M. Webb (Graefe), Born October 10, 1933 in Sheboygan, WI. Donna was the daughter of Ralph and Edna Graefe and the step-daughter of Pearl Manzke Graefe. She was the sister of Roger Graefe (Evelyn), Stanley Gehr (Delores) and Donald Manzke (Arlene).
Donna graduated from Central High School in 1952 and continued her education at the University of WI, Garrett and Wesley Theological Schools. This led to a career in Christian Education. She was consecrated a Diaconal Minister in the United Methodist Church on June 2, 1977 and served at St. Luke UMC for 33 years before retiring. She then volunteered for a year of mission with Los Ninos and worked with orphans and the poor in Tijuana, Mexico. Upon her return she shared ministry at Wesley UMC and Salem Plankroad UCC and served as Chaplain at St. Mary’s Drug Rehabilitation Hospital in Port Washington. She retired again in 1993 to become a caregiver to her daughter Anne who had multiple sclerosis. Care-giving was the most difficult job she ever held, although it also brought blessings.
On November 1, 1952 she was united in marriage to John Webb. They had two birth children, John and Anne. Both children preceded her in death, as did her husband John. They were married 63 years. She became a Big Sister to Rhonda DePagter in 1975 and her foster mother. Rhonda married Todd Watson, and they had two children, Brandon and Skylar, Donna’s grandchildren. Donna also considered Jessica Stevenson as part of her immediate family. In 2016 Donna met Henry Lipman and they became loving companions.
Donna was active in many community and interdenominational church activities, an attribute which earned her Life Stream’s 1991 Woman of the Year Award on behalf of Sheboygan County. The Annual Conference of the UMC presented her with the first Church School Teacher of the Year Award. This award has been continued in her name each year. Donna served as the President of The Wisconsin Christian Educators’ Fellowship and the National Christian Educators’ Fellowship. She had a poster of a cocoon and a butterfly with the words, “You can fly but the cocoon has to go.” Every time she was asked to do something she didn’t think she could do, she would recite that quote and say yes instead of no. That motto opened so many new opportunities and adventures for her.
Working toward World Peace and Understanding was a lifetime goal and accomplished through Sheboygan and International People to People. She was instrumental in connecting PTP with Los Ninos where members went to help build schools and get to know their Mexican neighbors. She was also part of the committee that began a student exchange program with Cordoba, Argentina.
The Webbs hosted 18 international students beginning in 1972 when their son went to Germany on the Esslingen Exchange. They also did counseling for American Field Service and hosted A.F.S. students.
One of her favorite quotes is, “A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove…but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.” She always believed that it was important to leave a place better than you found it.
Some of her life’s energy was directed toward women’s rights, gay rights, handicap accessibility, world hunger and life style change. Her ministry was based on Matthew 25.35-40.
Retirement brought more world travel, wintering in Arizona, working on her Creative Memory Scrap-booking, exercising at the Y, leisure camp, Red Hat Fun, learning Bridge and other games, movies, and enjoying family and friends. She celebrated her birthday the whole month of October and was proud to be as old as she was because when you are that old you have lots of experience and are a lot smarter.
In addition to those named above, Donna is survived by nieces and nephews and their families, cousins, grand-children, great-grandchildren, and many friends.
The family would like to thank Pastor Susan Patterson-Sumwalt, a very good friend of Donna’s who stayed with her day and night during her time in hospice, and the wonderful staff from Sheboygan Senior Community and Sharon S. Richardson Hospice for the wonderful care and concern they showed to Donna and her family.
A funeral service will be held at St. Luke United Methodist Church, 623 Ontario Ave, Sheboygan, on Friday, June 27,2025 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Susan Patterson-Sumwalt officiating. Relatives and friends may visit with the family from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Luke United Methodist Church Sheboygan, People-to-People Ambassador Program of Sheboygan, Red Hat Society, or the National MS Society.
Ballhorn Chapels is assisting the family. Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting our website at www.ballhornchapels.com.
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