Donna Faye Nawrocki

Donna Faye Nawrocki, age 78, went to be with her Lord Wednesday, March 26, 2025. Donna was preceded in death by her parents Leonard and Evelyn Berkenpas. She will be remembered by her husband, Richard Nawrocki; children Michelle (Marc) Rainer, Mark Nawrocki; grandchildren Madisyn (Joshua) Ryan and Maycie Faye Rainer; sister, Pearl Steenwyk; many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Donna will be most remembered by her family for her sense of humor, kindness, loyalty, and the fact that she tried corn casserole four times and still said she never tried it. Some favorite memories her family shares are summers spent at the cottage where days were spent fishing, floating in the lake, and watching local parades - because everyone loves a parade. Donna fostered many family traditions and was much more than a homemaker to her family. She was the glue that held everyone together and the foundation of all that the family has built today.

Donna has always and will always be the smile on her family's faces and the laughter in their souls. Donna was never one to hold back in loving, as it was seen in every breath she drew and every action she took. This was recognized in the way she would peel the apple skins for her granddaughters to eat while making apple pie and going thrift shopping with her sister, Pearl, for clothes and cookbooks made by the churches. For Donna, no love was greater than her family, especially with her husband, Richard, where they would spend their days sitting outside on the porch watching the hummingbirds drink from their garden they grew by hand - just like they grew their love. Her children will remember her for the years of camping trips and flowbee haircuts that brought so much happiness and light into their lives. No matter the highs or lows, or rights and wrongs, Donna always showed that her love was unconditional. Every person who has had the opportunity to meet Donna has walked away a better person, and that is something that will live on forever with her memory.

It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to Donna today, but a great privilege and honor to have known her, and it is in our hearts where she will remain forevermore.

A private family celebration of Donna’s life will commence 9 a.m. April 1, 2025 at Cook Funeral Home, 2067 84th Street SW, Byron Center, MI 49315. In honor of Donna and in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society and the National Military Family Association. Interment will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. The family welcomes memories and messages at www.cookcaresbyron.com in their guestbook online.