Donna J. Tompkins

Loving Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Mother-in-Law, Sister-in-Law, Aunt, Niece, Cousin, and Loyal Friend.

The family of Donna Tompkins announces her peaceful passing at the age of 91. At the time of death, Donna was surrounded by family at her home in Wautoma, Wisconsin. She lived a life grounded in faith and family, attended Mass regularly, prayed the Rosary daily lifting up all in need, and lived a life guided by unwavering spiritual teachings and virtues of the Catholic Church.

Donna Jean (Honl) Tompkins was born on November 25, 1933 in Rockford, IL. She is the second oldest child of Bernard and Irene Honl. Donna attended elementary school in Rockford, IL with many Honls, Haupts, and Gallaghers. At age seven, Donna moved from Rockford, IL to Oakes, ND where her dad (Bernard) worked for his brother, Julius, as a foreman on the Honl family farm. Donna and cousins attended St. Charles Borromeo Grade School and Church and Oakes High School where Donna was cheerleader, year book editor, and participated in the Oakes High School Drum & Bugle Corp. At age 19, Donna followed her dad to Wautoma, WI and a resort named Silvercryst. At Silvercryst, Donna met David Tompkins, fell in love, and were married on June 26, 1954 at St. Joseph Catholic Church (Wautoma), with Father Wilix performing the ceremony. Their reception was at Silvercryst, and their honeymoon was at Algonquin Park, Ontario, Canada.

Donna and Dave started married life at the University of Illinois in Champaign. When Donna’s dad passed away in October 1954, Donna and Dave returned to Wautoma to assist family with the operation of Silvercryst for several years. Craig (’55), Dawn (’57), and Mark (’58) were born during these years. Donna and David moved to Madison, WI, in 1960 where they lived for the next 6 years (1960-1966), with Donna giving birth to Dean (’62), Dale (’62), and Mike (’65). A job change moved the family to Mundelein, IL, where Chris (’69) joined the growing family. A military relocation moved the family to San Antonio, Texas, where Donna learned to prepare Mexican food that her children found nothing short of DEEE-LICIOUS. The family spent the next 6 years (1971-1977) in San Antonio. In 1977 Dave and Donna welcomed the opportunity to return to Wautoma to be closer to the family, where she lived her remaining life.

While raising a large family, Donna held occupational and vocational skills including working for the Illinois University Dean of Women, going to business college, and waitressing at Silvercryst.

With her heart and soul never far from the church, Donna believed in the virtues – living her life of faith displaying integrity, charity, compassion, and humility. She was active in her church community, participating in many church service groups where she touched countless lives – Missions, Right to Life (coordinator), Eucharistic minister, funeral committee, and CCD instructor. Additionally, she joined the St. Joseph church choir, embroidered baptismal gowns, and washed and maintained the altar cloths.

One example of her service is the St. Joseph Mission group, which she co-founded around 1989 to create more opportunities for social interaction for her mother, Irene. One of their popular service projects involved recycling greeting cards and selling them to buy pansy seeds. For the past 30 years, the mission group has expanded their projects & services for the parish community. Donna lived by the code: “If you are willing to do things for the needy, the Lord sends opportunities your way.” In another example of her service, while administering at-home health care for the elderly, she co-led the innovation of providing benefits for traveling nurses. The effort was successful and was recognized at the state and national levels.

Her children admired – and will long remember – her selfless acts of faith-filled motherhood, including making pre-game meals (cheeseburgers), planning and enjoying holiday food dishes (green rice) and baked treats, preparing the Friday night fish fry (Haddock), attending Sunday Mass, attending 1000s of athletic events, and doing countless laundry loads, meal-planning and preparation, and cleanup for a family of nine.

Donna was preceded in death by her husband, David Tompkins; her parents, Bernard and Irene Honl (née Baker); her step-father, Evon Oleson; her father- and mother-in-law, Harold (Mary) Tompkins; her brother-in-law, Donald Tompkins; her sister, Mary Peterson; her brothers, Ray Honl and Tom Honl; her brothers-in-law, Duane Peterson and Jack Curtis; and her daughter-in-law, Mary Schuler Tompkins.

Donna leaves to cherish and honor her memory: one daughter, Captain Dawn Tompkins, US Navy (retired), of Wautoma; six sons and their families: Craig (Lynn) Tompkins, and their children Audrey (Joe) and Alan (Jill), with grandchildren Noah, Parker, and Lainey; Dr. Mark Tompkins; Dr. Dean Tompkins and his late wife Mary Schuler, and their daughters Briana (Travis) and Annelise (Nick), with grandchild Brennan; Dale (Beth) Tompkins, and their children Caitlyn (Max), Casey (Aleksandra), and Hannah, with grandchildren Ruby, Lily, and Josephine; Mike (Lori) Tompkins, and their children Seth (Rachel), Olivia (Jake), and Chloe (Josh), with grandchildren Rinnona, Lunesta, Gabriel, Elijah, Elaina, and Noah; and Chris (Ruth) Tompkins, and their son Daniel. She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Jerry (Sandie) Honl; her sister, Joan Honl; and sisters-in-law Nancy (Ray Honl), Roberta, and Jaqulynn (Tom Honl); as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 11, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wautoma with Father Walter officiating. Visitation at St. Joseph Catholic Church will be held on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at 12:00 p.m. Internment will immediately follow the ceremony at Calvary (St. Joseph) Cemetery. The family invites attendees to a lunch at St. Joseph Hall immediately after internment.

Any floral offerings may be directed to the services at St. Joseph Catholic Church 364 S. Cambridge St., Wautoma, WI 54982.

The Leikness Funeral Home of Wautoma assisted the family with arrangements.