Donna Jean Knabl

Donna Jean Knabl, age 78, of Sterling Heights, Michigan passed away on December 6, 2020. She was born on November 12, 1942 to the proud parents of Emmanuel & Margaret Baetens. Donna is the beloved mother to Christopher (Lisa) Maiorana, Monica (Zephaniah) Varley and Patricia Maiorana. She is the cherished grandmother of Jennifer Maiorana and Rose Varley. Donna is survived by her siblings Margaret (the late Leonard), Patricia (David) Kortes, Judith Baetens, John (Andrea) Baetens, Thomas (Joan) Baetens, Marlene (Bob) Davidson and Darlene (Ronald) Mitchell. She is preceded in death by her two siblings Charles Baetens and Michael Baetens.

Donna worked very hard to get her Accounting degree later in life. She was proud that all three of her children graduated from college. Donna loved to tell stories about how she lived in Japan for a short while in the '60s and of her travels through Ireland. She loved reading, water aerobics, and gardening. Donna had an amazing green thumb that everyone admired. When she wasn't tending to her plants, she could be found watching reruns of old cowboy movies. Donna always looked forward to family get togethers with her 9 siblings and gatherings with her Beta Sigma Phi sorority sisters. If there was a party, Donna would be there if she could. After retirement, she enjoyed playing games like bingo, bunco, and euchre with her friends at Schoenherr Towers.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Michigan Lupus Foundation www.milupus.org or the American Diabetes Association www.diabetes.org in memory of Donna.

Arrangements entrusted to Kaul Funeral Home St. Clair Shores Chapel.