In the early hours of June 25, 2022 Donna Lee Knerr (87) was reunited in heaven with her husband as God called her home in time to celebrate her 66th wedding anniversary. Donna’s strength saw her through a courageous battle with congestive heart failure before moving to Riverside Hospital hospice just before she passed. Born Donna Lee Ruetenik on January 16, 1935, in Vermillion, Ohio to Paul and Margaret Ruetenik. She graduated from Vermillion High School and attended Stephens Liberal Arts College. She met her husband William Knerr while he summered at a cottage on Heidelberg Beach located next door to her family home. They married on June 30, 1956, in her backyard overlooking Lake Erie on the only day of that week that it did not rain. They lived in Ithica, NY and Shelby, OH before settling in Worthington, OH. Donna was a loving and supportive wife and mother. She took the lead in caring for 4 little ones and supporting her husband as he went back to medical school while practicing veterinary medicine to support them. As time elapsed, she was the shuttle to run kids to their various activities while maintaining the house where everyone always gathered. She participated in The Auxiliary Club, The Kidney Foundation, PTA, and various other activities in support of her husband’s work and children’s activities. Donna will be remembered for her unconditional love and support, her drive to do more than she should for others, and her expressive, beautiful blue eyes. She was a devoted mom and grandma that was always available to help with her children and grandchildren.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents Paul and Margaret Ruetenik, her husband Dr. William D Knerr and her grandson Logan A Knerr. She is survived by children Thomas Knerr of Strongsville, OH, Tamara (Rick) Knerr-Markko of St Petersburg, FL, Terri Gaborcik of Gahanna, OH, and Todd (Jocelyn) Knerr of Plain City, OH; brother Roger (Betty) Ruetenik and sister Marilyn Welborn; grandchildren Mitchell (Megan) Knerr, Katherine Knerr, Joshua Gaborcik, Andrea (Kyle) Alford, Zacharya Gaborcik, Morgan (Logan Wright) Knerr, Ashton Knerr, Ashley (Logan deceased) Knerr; great grandchildren Margaret, Hannah and Claire Alford and Hannah and Esther Knerr as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
As Winnie the Pooh says, ‘How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.’
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Heart Foundation or American Diabetes Association in her name.
Services will be held at Schoedinger Funeral Home in Worthington, OH on Friday July 1, 2022. Viewing will be from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm with a service starting at 1:00 pm. Burial will be at Union Cemetery following the service.
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