So very sorry to learn of Dr. Donakowski's passing. He was our choir master many years ago at St. Hugo of the Hills school where we had the honor of singing at his wedding  I have fond memories of those many hours we spent learning our vocal parts from him. Bless him and condolences to his family. I was truly blessed to have him as our teacher

Dear Judith__ I said a Rosary this evening February 11, 2025 for my Dear Brother Conrad on the Anniversary of his death__ and because you Judith and Conrad said a Rosary each night before your bed time, even when tired.      p.s. You both are prayed for each and everyday as I say my prayers and pray a Rosary.   ___Lorraine, your sister-in-law and Conrad's sister.

Dear Judith,

How special Conrad died on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.  I will be remembering you all at mass and in my prayers today.

Much love,

Mary

Dear Judith,

I am so sorry for the loss on your dear husband Conrad.  I remember both you and him fondly from my time at St. Thomas. I loved the music from midnight mass.  I also remember our first Divine Mercy Sunday we did together at St. Thomas.   May his soul  rest in peace.  May the Lord give you his peace and consolation. 

Much love and 
Tenderly in Our Lady,

Mary Speicher 
Madonna House

Hello Dearest Brother Conrad__ I miss you so very much - You were part of my life since my very existence 9-28-41.  You  were the BEST brother.  I miss you terribly.  
Dearest Judith__ LOVE you so very much - thinking of you and praying for you all my waking hours.
All my LOVE__ Lorraine

On behalf of the Leelanau Summer Music Festival of Holy Rosary Parish, Cedar MI, and of myself, we send our most sincere condolences to Judith, Carl, Monica and the Donakowski family on the loss of dear Conrad. He, along with Judith and Carl, worked tirelessly to orchestrate World Class Music in many concerts at our beautiful Leelanau County renovated concert hall in Holy Rosary School. Kudos also to the generosity of his sister Lorraine. The summer slate of musical performances in that state-of-the-art venue brought acclaim from many notable patrons, and the joy of chamber music in a very intimate setting. We are forever grateful to Conrad and family for their amazing contributions to the music culture of our corner of the world! May Conrad now rest in peace with our Lord and the music of the angels.

Dear Judy and family,
Having known Conrad as a fellow teaching colleague and musician, I want to convey to you my respect and appreciation for his contributions and talents.  I had the occasion to sing under his choir leadership, and found his knowledge and musicianship to be very enjoyable and inspiring.  Conrad was also someone who expressed his perspective and grasp of issues, even if they didn’t reflect the prevailing viewpoint.  One example of this was his support of the music therapy program prior to its termination at MSU.  He demonstrated his caring and intellect as a teacher on the thesis defense committees that we shared.  He was a gentle person with a fun sense of humor, yet he spoke out strongly when he was so moved.  I know he will be greatly missed by you and many more of us.  I extend to you my condolences and sincere wishes as you grieve his loss.
Roger Smeltekop

Dear Judith,

Heartfelt condolences to you and your family on the passing of Conrad.  He gave much to the world through scholarship,  music, friendship, and leadership.

We remember the frequent and wonderful family gatherings in the Humanities Department.

Conrad will be greatly missed by all whose lives he touched.
May his memory be a blessing.

Don and Joan Gochberg

Dear Judith, Carl and Monica,

Walter has already written you about  Conrad, but I also wanted to say how very sorry and sad I was to hear about his passing.  It was always such a delight to see him at intermissions at concerts and the opera cinema performances—he would make wonderful comments about the music - usually funny but astute as well.   I always learned something from chatting with him, plus sharing a laugh, or many.

I remember a particularly wonderful time quite a few summers ago when four of us - (Judith, Conrad, Walter and I) sat for hours at a restaurant near your farm house in Leelanau. Conrad told all about the history of the church and his Polish connections and  many other topics - it was simply a fascinating evening and one I’ve never forgotten.  He knew so much about so many things  -  a true renaissance man in so many ways.  And I particularly loved it when he talked about his political views which he would so forcefully express!

We will truly miss him and are so very sorry for the great loss that you and we all must  bear.

Elsa Ludewig-Verdehr
Dr. Elsa Ludewig-Verdehr
Distinguished University Professor
Michigan State University
College of Music,

I had known Conrad before he became a faculty member of the the MSU School of Music, since he and Judith often attended my concerts, frequently coming backstage after a concert. He was always very cordial and knowledgeable about music and performances and it was most interesting to hear his viewpoint on  music and performers. 
After becoming a faculty colleague, I frequently had the opportunity to work with him on graduate exams or doctoral papers and served on many such  committees with him. 
Conrad was unfailingly cordial and helpful to the students during these  often stressful times and, as a teacher, I was most grateful for his approach. He was also kind and helpful to the candidates during  oral exams and would go out of his way to make them feel comfortable.

In recent years I had more opportunities to know Conrad and Judith better through performances with his son, Carl Donakowski, an excellent musician and cellist.  After the rehearsals and concerts we would spend wonderful evenings together at their Leelanau farm or our lake house, and hear his colorful stories about Polish neighborhoods in Detroit, Jesuit schools, his historical insights in his approach to musical periods and his keen involvement and insights into political events of the day. They were always lively and interesting  discussions which went on long into the night.

It was a great pleasure and privilege to know Conrad - an admirable and knowledgeable colleague and also a warm friend. May he rest in peace and live on in all our memories.
Dr. Walter Verdehr
Professor of Violin, 
MSU  College of Music ,1968-2018

Thank you to the Donakowski family for your grace in broadcasting today’s Funeral Mass & the Rosary preceding it—it was a blessing. You have my prayers as you face the burial on Monday, and the days ahead. Know that each of you are loved. God Bless You All.

Our Condolences 💐 to you and your family.  Richard& ElizabethDonakowski

Dear Conrad, 
Thank you (and Judith) for Monica & Carl. 
Thank you for enlightening me about music especially as an expression of love to God. 
Thank you for the evening snowshoeing, mazing through fresh snow at the farm. 
Thank you for the discussions and debates by the grand piano while sipping on tea. 
Thank you for appreciating and growing a true friendship with AJ. 
You are missed.
Eli (& Mary) Hoffman

Dear Judith, I am so very sorry to learn on Conrad’s passing. I have so many beautiful memories of you and Conrad from my time as a member of the St. Thomas Aquinas Church Choir. You both have meant so much to me. Singing in Conrad’s choir felt like being in heaven on earth. I’ll never forget him and the spirituality and goodness he shared with all of us. Sending my love and prayers to you and your family. Marilyn Hunter

I will miss Conrad and our stimulating conversations.  He was one of my brightest classmates at U of D High and a good friend ever since.  Very sad.  But a long, successful and adventurous life to be celebrated.
My condolences to Judith and the family.

U of D Class of '54 at the high in June of 2019

Johnsons, Donakowskis and Bob Burroughs on Johnson's condo lanai in 2004

Judith and Conrad arrive to visit Mal and Florence Johnson in Maui in 2004

Dear Judith,   sincere condolences to you, Monica, Carl and all your family, at the loss of Conrad - your love and life companion.  He leaves a void, not only in your hearts but in this community - particularly in the sacred music community.  A  special gift, was his ability to encourage aspiring musicians and organists  "Praise the youth and they will flourish":  He knew that instinctively.   Love to you in the future as you weather the choppy waters of new widowhood.      I am here for you.   God Bless you.   Surely, he is at peace.

For Carl and the extended Donakowski Family:

May you be comforted in your time of grief by God’s grace and mercy.

Richard W. Wert, Okemos High School Class of 1982

OBITUARY

Conrad Louis Donakowski

March 13, 1936 – February 11, 2024

Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes

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