Service Details
Her Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring St., on Friday, August 28th, at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Yamid Blanco and Rev. Richard Molter concelebrating. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Thursday, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and at the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will take place in West Lawn Memorial Park.
Memorial Suggestions
In lieu of flowers the family has suggested memorials to the Siena Center, 5637 Erie St. Racine, WI 53402, or the Pregnancy Resource Center of Northern Wisconsin, 1108 Port Arthur Rd. Ladysmith, WI 53848.
Donna M. Pias, 82, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family, on Friday, August 21, 2020. She was born in Racine on October 10, 1937 the daughter of the late William and Mary (nee: Rieckhoff) Fergus.
On October 15, 1955, in Holy Name Catholic Church, she was united in marriage to Lawrence Pias. Donna had been employed by the Racine Unified School District for over 20 years. Following their retirement Larry and Donna lived in Tony, WI for over 15 years until moving back to Racine. She was a member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church and the Catholic Women’s Club. Donna’s entire life was centered around her family. She received great joy when she was babysitting her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was known for her caring heart, inspiring spirit and infectious smile. How she lived her life was reflected in her favorite saying “It’s a great life if you don’t weaken”.
Surviving are her devoted husband, Larry; their children, Michele Pietras, Lori (Marc) Castor, Brenda (Dale Van Patten) Stickland, Perry (Beverly) Pias, and Cheryl (Emerick) Garcia Sr.; 14 grandchildren, Melissa Pietras, Molli (John) Esseveld, Allison (Jeremy) Benishek, Zach (Louella) Castor, Sally (Clay) Evans, Kay Stickland, Thomas Stickland, Ryan (Amanda) Pias, Jennifer (Lawrence) Carroll, Cory (Shana) Donnelly, Emily (Dan) Graham, Emerick (Emily) Garcia Jr., Erik (Bekah) Garcia, and Luna Font; 27 great grandchildren; sisters, Jean Hagemann and Diane Taggart; sister-in-law, Dolores Fergus, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents, Donna was preceded in death by her sisters, Mary Ann Fergus and Lorraine Carothers; brothers, William and Richard Fergus; and great grandchildren Elle Donna, Emerson Erik and Bear Alexander. The family would like to thank the staff at Heartland Hospice Care, and her special caregiver Sue with Society’s Assets. “In God We Trust” Pray for Peace
Don and Aileen Kangas says
The good Lord picked one of His favorite angels to sit beside Him in Heaven. May He bless the Pias family.
Suzanne Welker Folczyk says
Deepest sympathy to all of Donna’s family. Am so sad for your loss Larry. She was an exceptional woman. I do regret that our contact with each other was so infrequent. Also, I am sure our Lord welcomed her with open arms. God bless.
Katie Nelson says
I have fond memories of Donna in the Library at Garfield Early Childhood School. She loved working with the preschool kids. My sympathy to the family.
Jim & Paula Huck says
We had so many great times with Donna…what a great person she was.
Michael Kinnard says
I am sorry to hear of your loss Lorilee. My prayers are with you and your family.
Michael
Cindy Greco Odders says
Dear Pias family, my most sincere sympathies on you loss. Mrs Pias was an extraordinary woman with a perpetual smile on her face an immeasurable kindness in her heart. She will always have a place in my heart.
Barb Ehrhart says
Thinking of you all. So sorry hear your mom past away. Hugs sent your way.
Enett Jaimez says
Our deepest condolences to the Pias family! Donna was an amazing woman with a heart of gold! She will live in our hearts forever! With all our love,
Marco, Enett, and the entire Jaimez family
Anonymous says
sending love for all for Austin TX.
Nathan says
Sending love and well wishes from Austin TX.
Anonymous says
Pias family
I sorry for the lose of your mother. Donna was a great person, she will always be in my prays.
God bless Dennis L. Strand
Dennis Strand says
Pias family
My thoughts and prays are with Donna’s family. She will be missed.
God bless Dennis Strand
Janet and Greg Roberson says
Perry and family
Greg and I are sorry to hear about your Mother…..you and the family are in our thoughts and prayers during this time…..
Love you all
Greg and Janet Roberson
Michael P.LaCanne & Family says
It was an honor and a pleasure to have you in our lives , Their were so many fond memories at Family functions and many other countless functions & Holidays throughout the years !!Lots of Love and affection for you in your Life in Heaven now, Mike, Shaun, and Damien LaCanne, We will miss your smile and the love you have given. Now may the good Lord hold you in his arms and take care of you for Eternity.
Joe Kreill says
Memories abound about the finest woman I’ve known. One who was always there for my family and all others. How did she do it? Mary and I hold Donna’s family in high esteem and offer our deepest sympathies… and prayers for you all. Love to Larry and immediate family. These times are so challenging… our personal presence will not occur as covis 19 runs its course. Know that we will celebrate Donna’s life this week and during the future months and years. Hope to renew our up-close love and hugs very soon. Prayers, love, awesome memories, Joe (& Mary) Waukesha, WI
Nancy Balcer says
My prayers and hugs are with you all today. I am up north for a couple weeks or I would be with you today. Good memories of our families growing up together in the Thurston Avenue, Deanne Blvd. neighborhood.
Dick Bergmann & Ellen Sanfelippo Bergmann says
The world will miss your presence.
Wishing Larry & entire Pias family our sincere sympathy and prayers for a joyful reunion in heaven.
Kelly & Will Frank says
Lori, we are very sorry to hear of your mother’s death. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May God give you all peace.
al stefani & judy mcguire says
sorry for your loss Donna was such a great lady ..we all loved her …..al stefani& judy……….mcguire
Diane m smith says
Donna, is where she wants to be.this is our journey on earth. With all of her suffering, she is with our Good LORD. Donna always made me feel special,whenever I would see her. her prayeful life gave me more inspiration in mine loved you very much ❤️ Donna Thank GOD, for putting you into my life.🥰😘🙏🌹🤗
Renée S Benjamin says
Larry and Family, we are so sorry to hear of Donna passing. She was a beautiful person through and through. God Bless you all at this difficult time.
Praying for Donna and all of you.
Renée and Dave Benjamin
Josephine Yunk says
The Josephine Yunk family extends their heartfelt condolences to Larry and family. We so appreciated the friended visits with Ernest. God Bless.
Margaret Canary says
Dear Larry,
How well I remember both of you in our Respite Ministry years. You both put your heart and soul into our care of family caregivers and their family members being cared for at home
Will never forget one of the best experiences of my life.
It was with welcome surprise to see the suggestion of The Pregnancy Resource Center as a place to send a memorial to Donna, and Siena Center too as well.
For 5 years in the early eighties my husband and I provided foster care for pre-adoptive foster babies for Catholic Social Services, a tie for the best experience of my life.
Very good to see your support of this fine place.