Donna Stribling 12/28/2018

Donna Lou (Vandenberg) Stribling, age 88, passed peacefully on December 28, 2018 at Kinnic Health and Rehab in River Falls, Wisconsin. Donna was a resident at Comforts of Home Assisted Living in River Falls after relocating from Belton, Texas in 2013. She was born on June 26, 1930, the daughter of Bert Edward and Klaasena (VanGeest) Vandenberg in Arlington, SD. She grew up in small towns in South Dakota and Wyoming, graduating from Big Horn (WY) High School in 1948. Donna began a career in education, teaching lower grades at Ucross, Wyoming while her first husband, Millard I. Meredith, taught the upper grades. She chose to be a stay-at-home mother to their three children, Marcia, Gary, and Michele and was a founding member of a Sheridan (WY) Homemaker’s Club. During those years, she volunteered in the schools and was active as a leader in 4-H, bridge clubs, and social organizations. Donna later worked as a bookkeeper and income tax assistant in Douglas, WY, Ft. Collins, CO, and Belton, TX. In her retirement, she and her second husband, Newman Stribling, summered and climbed mountains in Estes Park, CO. Donna also enjoyed travels to Japan, Egypt, Hawaii, and around the USA.  Donna instilled a work ethic for her children and grandchildren to be successful in their lives. Everyone who met Donna remarked on her diligence, meticulousness, and patience at the projects she undertook. She enjoyed flea market trading, volunteering at second hand shops, finishing puzzles, sewing, and cooking, especially for others. Donna was a person you could always count on. She is remembered as a gracious and loving mother, grandmother, and friend. Words offered to describe Donna include caring, welcoming, thoughtful, elegant, gracious, and supportive. She had quite the memory for details, especially personal history, and was admired for her interactions and genuine interest in all people.  Donna is survived by her three children: Marcia (Geoffrey) Scheurman, a retired music teacher from River Falls, WI; Gary Meredith, a retired teacher and school administrator from Greybull, WY; and Michele Haefele, an elementary teacher from Wright, WY; seven grandchildren: Jennifer (Brent) Hafele of Eau Claire, WI, Stephen (Lisa) Scheurman of Plymouth, MN, Kenyon (Johanna) Scheurman of Ft. Collins, CO, Greg (Nanette Langston) Meredith, Dean Meredith of Cheyenne, WY, Randall (Emily) Haefele of Wright, WY, and Ryan (Kailee) Haefele of Wright, WY; and nine great grandchildren: Evan, Rachel, and Micah Hafele; Caleb and Anna Scheurman; Roland, Jackson, and Victor; and Joelle Haefele. She is also survived by Kay (Stribling) Summers of Estes Park, CO and Marty McKenzie of Austin, TX. Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Bert and Sena Vandenberg; brothers Lloyd, Alvin, and Dale Vandenberg; and sister, Shirley (Vandenberg) Kopta. Also preceding her in death were husbands Millard I. Meredith and Newman Stribling, son-in-law Rodney Haefele, and Bill Stribling.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Adoray Hospice, 2231 Highway 12, Suite 201, Baldwin, WI 54002. Celebration of life and burial of ashes will occur in Sheridan, Wyoming at a later date. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral and Cremation Services.