Donna Jean Pautz Kehle was born January 25, 1929, in Reedsville, Wisconsin to Earl and Hilda Pautz. She had one older brother, Zane. As a child, Donna loved school, paper dolls, and playing with her cousins. In addition to learning piano, she learned to play the snare drum with her father in the Reedsville marching band, and also string bass in the high school orchestra.
Donna received her Bachelor’s degree in German from Mission House College and her Masters of Science in Social Work from the University of Chicago. She worked in the Chicago Public School system and at Cook County Hospital. She was a natural social worker, as her main focus in life was always about helping people thrive.
In 1958, she went to Christmas Eve services at her church and heard Paul Kehle sing “Sweet Little Jesus Boy”. They met that night, fell in love, and married on June 14, 1959. They lived in Los Alamos, New Mexico for one year before Paul entered Eden Theological Seminary in St Louis. They had three children, Paul, Heidi and Lisa, who experienced life fully through the gentle guidance of Donna and Paul’s parenting philosophy. Teaching about justice, equality and service through words and actions were central, as was imparting a love of music and education. Woven throughout was the expectation that their children explore, take risks and develop fully knowing they were unconditionally loved…regardless.
Donna’s adult life, while centered on family, was enriched by her work in civil rights, social justice and community activism. She worked to open the first kindergarten in Campbellsport, Wisconsin as she believed that kindergarten was an essential foundation of elementary education. She and Paul were active in the civil rights movement in the 1960’s, helping to organize and participate in demonstrations and marches. In addition, they felt strongly about the nuclear disarmament movement in the 1980’s, working with the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom in Madison, Wisconsin, including participating in the Peace Ribbon project – a demonstration at the US Capital which involved designing and displaying over twenty thousand fabric squares around the Pentagon.
Those who knew Donna, know that she never simply sat idle – there was always a basket of knitting or sewing at her side. She knit countless mittens, scarves, sweaters, and hats, and sewed beautiful clothing for her extended family – including the wedding shirt and dresses for all three of her children.
Paul’s death brought Donna to West Bend Wisconsin, where she lived happily at Cedar Ridge Apartments and was the director of social services at the Cedar Lake Health Center for over 20 years. She enjoyed life in Cedar Community and the organization’s attention to the diverse needs of older adults.
During her time at Cedar Community, she became “Nanny” to four lucky grandchildren; Elise, Greta, Erin and Maia. Her chicken soup, pumpkin bread and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies helped them grow and her beautiful quilts will continue to keep them warm for years to come.
After a series of strokes beginning in 2012, Donna transitioned from independent living to assisted living and finally to skilled nursing care at Cedar Lake Health and Rehabilitation Center. While her life shrunk dramatically, she still enjoyed crossword puzzles, engaging conversations, visits from friends both near and far, and – most especially – the monthly weekend visits from her children.
Donna lived a truly good and love-filled life, and her legacy lives on through the many relatives and friends who were impacted by her kindness and wisdom.
Donna’s children are in the process of planning a memorial service to celebrate her life. It will take place in Wisconsin in the summer of 2017. If you want to keep in touch regarding these plans, please feel free to contact Donna’s daughter, Lisa, via lisa.kehle@gmail.com
If you wish to make a donation in her memory, Donna suggested Habitat for Humanity of Washington County (724 Elm Street, Suite 103, West Bend, WI 53095) or Cedar Community Foundation (113 Cedar Ridge Drive West Bend, WI 53095).