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Donna Marie Thorsten (Shank), 77, passed away peacefully at her home in Missouri City, Texas on Aug. 22, 2024.
Donna was an incredibly wonderful daughter, wife, mother and grandmother in her family. Born in Renovo in 1946, Donna graduated from Renovo High School in 1964. After spending a few years working as a secretary, she married Richard E. Thorsten (also of Renovo). Donna and Rich lived near Pittsburgh, Pa. and briefly in Baton Rouge, La. before permanently moving to Missouri City, Texas in 1978.
Raising her son and daughter became Donna's highest priority and greatest joy. She also volunteered and later worked extensively with the Houston Youth Soccer Association. Once her children were teens, Donna worked as a Business Manager for the Colony House, an extended care and long-term care facility for over twenty years. Donna became an invaluable colleague, caring employee and trusted friend there. She remained friends with a few close co-workers until just before she passed away.
Donna was a passionate soccer fan and an avid reader. She also enjoyed watching crime dramas. She loved playing cards with her family and baking with her grandkids. Some of Donna's favorite travel memories included seeing New York with her daughter and son, trying her luck on the slots in Atlantic City and Las Vegas with family and friends and visiting New Orleans with her husband. She loved cats and dogs caring for many throughout the years and enjoyed spending time with her grand fur babies too.
Donna is survived by her son, Richard Thorsten II; daughter-in-law, Vanessa Thorsten; daughter, Paula Stout; son-in-law, Gerald Stout; sister, Joanne Shank and four grandsons, Trevor, Soren, Evan and Riordan. She and Richard were married for 45 years until he passed away in 2014. She is also reunited in death with her father, Neil Shank; mother, Doris Shank (Casper) and many other extended family members.
A small memorial service will be arranged near Renovo, with close family and friends in late November. Family members will gratefully accept any donations made on her behalf to Jenni's Rescue Ranch (jennisrescueranch.org) and Water.org (water.org).
Her surviving family and friends are immensely grateful to have been part of her life. Donna's empathy, kindness, resilience and love continue to strengthen and nurture us. May she find grace and peace in God's warm embrace until and after we encounter her again.