Donna H. McKenzie, age 87, of Monticello passed away on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at the New Glarus Home. She was born on December 21, 1937 the daughter of Donald and Irene (Shaw) Waggoner. Donna graduated from Williamsfield High School in Illinois. After graduation she attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. On August 31, 1958 Donna married Calvin McKenzie in Williamsfield, IL. Donna worked as a social worker retiring in 2000 after 41 years. She was also a foster parent for many years.
Donna loved music, playing piano and organ. She also enjoyed parks, taking kids (hers and those she worked with) to all the state parks in northern Illinois. She loved spending time with her grandkids, taking them to the Discovery Center in Rockford, and baking their favorite cookies. Reading, playing board games, doing puzzles and bird watching were favorite pastimes. Her potato salad was a must have at the decades of July 4th parties, and everyone who received her homemade fudge for Christmas counted themselves lucky. She sent Birthday cards to nearly everyone she knew, and had an extensive correspondence list. She maintained her friendships from childhood while continuing to make new friends her entire life. She was well known by both staff and residents of the New Glarus Home, where she spent the final 2 1/2 years of her life.
Donna is survived by her children, Carolyn (Douglas) Seaver of Monticello, Kathleen (Andres) Quiroz of Freeport, IL, Roger McKenzie of Minot, ND, Laura McKenzie of Vancouver, WA; twelve grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; brothers, Bill Leng of San Antonio, TX, and Dave Leng of Brooksville, FL; and sister-in-law, Jackie Waggoner of Elmwood, IL.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Calvin; son, Steven McKenzie; and brothers, Carl Waggoner and Roger Waggoner.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, August 4, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Shriner Hager Gohlke Funeral Home with Pastor Mary Gafner officiating. Burial will take place at Willow Lawn Cemetery
A visitation will be held on Monday from 10:00 AM until the time of service at the funeral home.
Condolences may be sent to the family at: shgfuneralhome.net.
