A lifelong resident of Holland, Donna was a much-loved daughter and sister, favorite aunt, and good friend who made an impression on everyone she met with her politeness and curiosity. A graduate of Holland High School Class of 1943, Donna maintained lifelong friendships with many of her classmates. After high school, Donna went to work at the Holland Furnace Company where she was a trusted typist and secretary. While working at Holland Furnace in 1951, she married her husband Robert Shank and subsequently took on the role of homemaker and supporter to her husband in the running of a beloved local restaurant, Bimbo Burger. Donna’s work ethic and record-keeping skills helped make the restaurant a success, but the untimely death of Robert cut short their planned golden years together. Fate had another plan, and in 1979 Donna married her second husband John Koppenaal and found happiness again. Donna and John enjoyed many happy years together, and often spoke of the special pleasure they found attending local big band performances and picnicking at Holland State Park. Throughout her life Donna enjoyed having dogs of the Boston terrier breed, and her connection with that breed as her favorite was a signature trait. Donna had immense pride in her connection to Holland, both through her deep family roots in the city and her many friends. Having been born in what was then Holland’s first hospital, Donna liked to joke that she was so old, she had been born in a museum. Donna was an avid reader and an information-seeker who enjoyed keeping highly-organized records and notes on a multitude of subjects. Donna was a longtime member of Fellowship Reformed Church, where she had many friends, both old and new.
She is survived by her stepchildren Betsy (John) and Ted (Mary Jo), nephew Bill (Joy), and nieces Janice (Todd) and Linda (Bill), sisters-in-law Donna, Jackie, and brother-in-law Pete (Raelene) as well as many special friends from Fellowship Reformed Church including Paula and Jim. Donna was preceded in death by her mother Amy, father William, brothers Robert, William and Paul, and husbands Robert and John.
Funeral services will be at 2:00pm Saturday, February 15 at Lakeshore Memorial Services, 11939 James St. in Holland. Visitation will be from 1-1:45pm prior to the service Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Fellowship Reformed Church in Holland.
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