Donna Witikka
Obituary's Biography:
Donna P. Witikka, 74, of Peoria, AZ, passed away at home on September 13, 2021. She was born in Moline, IL on October 8, 1946, to the late Irving and Virginia Livingston. She is survived by all five of her sisters: Jackie Pickus, Jill Newman, Ruth Dady, Elizabeth Hogan, and her identical twin sister Diane Sheptak. Donna loved to tell stories about her childhood and had many fond memories of growing up with so many sisters and of being a twin. All six sisters were and are very close, and when they would all get together, you could see and feel the love they had for one another and could not help but notice the similarities they all shared.
Donna became a mother and a grandmother. She had three children: Robin Witikka, Scott (Rebecca) Witikka, and Heidi Witikka, and one grandson Declan Witikka. She was loving, caring, and very understanding, and took great pride in being a mother and a grandmother.
Donna graduated from Waukegan High School in 1964 and attended Eastern Illinois University.
Donna liked working. She especially enjoyed her seventeen years as Administrative Assistant for the Learning Opportunities Program and the School of Education at Barat College in Lake Forest, IL. Her excellent listening skills and endless energy made her a perfect fit for that department.
Donna lived in Waukegan, IL and Gurnee, IL most of her life before deciding to pack up her bags and head west to enjoy the sunshine in Arizona. (She like to recall that the family would winter there when she was a child.) One of her favorite ways to spend her free time was to lay out by the pool and swim, and there was no better place to do that than Ventana Lakes in Peoria, Arizona. She treasured the many friends she made there. Donna liked to play bunko and bridge, Mexican Train, and to teach exercise class. She was always on the go and loved to stay busy. This earned her the nickname “Bunny” because she always said she was the human version of the energizer bunny. Donna was also an avid Arizona Cardinals fan, and her favorite chant on Sunday was “Go, Go, Go Cardinals!”
A Celebration of Life for Donna will be held at 2:00pm, Saturday, November 6, 2021, at Ventana Lakes, in the Lakeside Clubhouse room located at 20245 N. 106th Ave. Peoria, Arizona 85382. A visitation will be held from 12:00pm until 3:00pm and a memorial service will follow, on Saturday November 20, 2021 at Strang Funeral Chapel, located at 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030. For additional information please call (847)223-8122. Please sign the online guestbook for Donna at www.strangfuneral.org.
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Donna was such a lovely woman who will be dearly missed by her family, friends and especially her identical twin Diane. Donna was very blessed to grow up in such a loving and close-knit family of 6 girls, and loved being with her 3 children and grandson. Deepest sympathies to all who knew and loved her.
You lived a beautiful life, Donna. And you will be forever remembered by your family and everyone who knew you and loved you. No one can ask more than that. Rest in peace.
I moved from Ventana Lakes but will always remember Donna.
I enjoyed talking with her and sharing stories about our grandsons. We both love our little boys so much!
You brought positive energy and joy everywhere you went…..you will be missed by so many.
When I moved to Ventana Lakes as a SnowBird years ago from Chicago, Donna was welcoming and so friendly in our aerobics classes. As the years continued, she persuaded me to attend those monthly bunco sessions, even picking me up when I didn’t have the car. Lastly, I’ll remember the energetic and caring person who always had a smile and a warm welcome whenever we met. I’ll miss my Arizona friend!
Diane and Donna were good hearted and kindly friends. My deepest condolences to Diane and the rest of the family.
Johnnie, sad news about Donna. A very nice person. Hope you are well, my friend.
Eternal love of lifer
Diane and Donna always saw the good in all
Congrats to her on a life well lived
Old WTHS bulldog
I remember when Donna and Diane arrived at Daniel Webster Jr. High and how I was intrigued to see identical twins . We became friends and continued to be close during high school. My thoughts and prayers to Diane and her other sisters. May her soul rest in peace.
My deepest sympathy and condolences to Diane and family. We were classmates (1964). Even though we went our separate ways after high school, I still remember Donna and Diane as very sweet and loving people. God bless her soul. She will always be remembered. My prayers go out to you Diane. Ody Madison
Donna was a wonderful person. We attended grade school and high school together in Waukegan. I send heartfelt sympathies to Diane and the rest of Donna’s family.
Donna was so sweet and welcoming when I moved to AZ. She invited me to play bridge and was always kind and positive. Bunny will be missed.
My condolences to the entire family. Diane and Donna along with Jamie and I traveled the coast of California with our mom’s probably in 1962. I remember them well and I am so sorry to hear of Donna’s passing. Life as we get older seems so precious and I send my best to the remaining sisters that the loss of Donna will pull them together even more during their time of grief.
All fond memories of the sweetest twins I knew at WTHS, or anywhere. Donna always had a smile and a kind word, one of those people as beautiful on the outside as on the inside. My condolences to Diane and her family.
Donna & Diane were two shinning stars “in one” of the class of 1964 !!!! Rest In Peace Sweetheart…
I have such fond memories of my friends and classmates at WTHS and all of our fun times together. Donna was sweet, had a wonderful smile, and had unbounding energy. She will be missed by all those who knew her. My thoughts and prayers are with Diane and the rest of the family.