Donna A. Booker, 99, of Rockford, IL, passed away peacefully, Wednesday morning, May 31, 2023 surrounded by family. She was born October 9, 1923 in Greenbush, MN, the daughter of William and Mathie (Puttbrese) Wiskow. Donna graduated from Greenbush High School in 1942 and moved to Rockford soon after. She married John Booker on September 3, 1960 and he preceded her in death on June 6, 1992. Donna held several jobs as a young adult, and retired from Farm and Fleet to care for her growing family. She was a faithful member of Messiah Lutheran Church and then United Lutheran Church for many years. Donna was very social and enjoyed seeing her friends at Aqua Aerobics twice a week at the Riverfront YMCA in downtown Rockford up until 4 weeks before her passing. She enjoyed gardening, cooking and canning. Donna loved her family and especially caring for her great-grandchildren well into her 90's. She was the matriarch and the foundation of our family. She experienced so much in her nearly 100 years of life and had so much wisdom to share. She will be deeply missed by many.
Donna is survived by her children, William (Lori) Collins, Gail Cellitti and Patricia Scott; grandchildren, Anthony (Eileen) Cellitti, Christine (Paul) Draheim, Melissa Cellitti, William (Chelsea) Collins III, Trisha Scott, Jessica Cioni, Brent Collins and Michael Collins; great-grandchildren, Jena Frystak, Devon Frystak, Gabrielle Cellitti, Maddex Draheim, Myla Draheim, Cameron Collins, Liam Collins, Alex Collins, Lilyana Royster and Camilla Collins; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband John, daughter Adelle Tesarek, siblings, Vera Niemi, Beatrice Johnson, Louise Holmberg, Harf Wiskow, Marie Richardson and William Irish.
A visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 a.m., Thursday, June 8, 2023 at United Lutheran Church, 3630 North Rockton Ave, Rockford, IL 61103 with a funeral service to begin at 11:00 a.m. Burial in Willwood Burial Park. Memorials may be made to United Lutheran Church. To share a condolence, please visit www.advantagerockford.com.
