Donna Kotyza (Jirtle), age 97, formerly of Kewaunee, died peacefully on April 26, 2026, with her daughter and daughter-in-law by her side at Hamilton Health Services of Two Rivers. She was born on July 20, 1928, to the late Lee and Myrtle (Kuehl) Jirtle, and grew up in Kewaunee, Wisconsin, where she attended and graduated from Kewaunee High School in 1946 - a town she would lovingly return to in her retirement years.

She married the love of her life, Tony, on April 15, 1950, at Community Congregational Church in Kewaunee. Donna and Tony were born in the same city on the same date, but Donna was born nine hours earlier and she loved to point out that that made her "The Boss." Donna and Tony raised their two children, Lee and Terri, in Two Rivers, WI. Donna held numerous secretarial positions, including at the J.E. Hamilton Community House and as office and library secretary in the Two Rivers Public School system, retiring in 1990. After retirement, Donna and Tony purchased their dream home overlooking Lake Michigan in Kewaunee, where many cherished family memories were made. Donna enjoyed many years of camping with Tony, hosting gatherings and cooking for family, and playing bridge with her friends. Donna loved being a caretaker, especially for her grandchildren and her late Uncle Bill. She had a gift for making people laugh, and her favorite saying - usually delivered with her trademark Manhattan in hand - was "Who has more fun than we do?"

Donna's laughter, generosity, and zest for life will surely be missed by all who loved her. Survivors include: one daughter and son-in-law, Terri and Warren Belonger, Two Rivers; one daughter-in-law, Jackie Kotyza, Sheboygan; six grandchildren: Chris (Brittany) Schultz, Bryn (Marty) Scheuer, Dayna (Jordan) Nienow, Carlie (Rory) Witthuhn, Emily (Silvio Gomez) Kotyza, and Holly (Dave) VanAkkeren; 10 great-grandchildren: Taylor and Jameson Schultz, Eli Scheuer, Antonio, Isaiah, Maria, and Lachlan Witthuhn, and Evie, Nora, and Henry VanAkkeren; one sister-in-law, Julie Kotyza, Kewaunee; and numerous special nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tony Kotyza; one beloved son, Lee Kotyza; her parents, Lee and Myrtle Jirtle; one brother and sister-in-law, Don (Jane) Jirtle; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Anton and Anna Kotyza; brother-in-law Joseph Kotyza; and two sisters-in-law, Millie (Larry) Verdagen and Rose Schaller.

The family would like to thank the staff at Northland Lodge, Hamilton Health Services, and Unity Hospice for their care and compassion given to Donna.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Kinnard Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolence messages may be shared at KinnardFCS.com

The heart of this family will keep beating – in every recipe passed down, every laugh that sounds just like hers, and every child who carries her love forward.