Obituary for Donna Kelly (Rogers) Wahl
Donna Kelly (Rogers) Wahl, 92, of Louisville, passed peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Aug. 1, 2022, after a 12-year battle with breast cancer that had metastasized. Donna was born on Oct. 8, 1929, in Leiters Ford, IN to the late Francis and Geneave Faulkner Kelly.
She was also preceded in death by her husband Robert Wahl of Porter, IN, her former husband Herbert Rogers of Knox, IN; brother, Norman Kelly of Culver, IN; and sister, Glenna Haschel of Winamac, IN; (former) in-laws, Bill (Jean) Rogers of Ft Myers, FL; and (former) in-laws, Sally (Earl) Killingsworth of Baker, LA.
Left to cherish her memory are her children, Kathy Gahm (former spouse, Phillip) of Louisville, and Christy Zorn (Nick) of Brandon, FL; her grandchildren, Amy (Joel) Gahm-Derbin, Nicklaus, Chelsey, Evan, Amber Gahm and Ryan and Cole Zorn; stepdaughters, Carol (Craig) Flynn of Buffalo, NY and Debbie (Bruce) Baldwin of Carmel, IN; step-grandchildren, Daniel (Kayla), Adam, Meghan, Kaitlin Flynn and Matthew, Nathan, Jacob Baldwin; step great- grandchildren, Madison and Teagan Flynn. Donna is survived by her brother, Gene (Mary) Kelly of Ft. Wayne, IN and sister-in-law, Marilyn Kelly of Culver, IN; and many nieces and nephews. Donna is also survived by her lifetime best friend and classmate, Bonnie Hoover.
Donna graduated from Leiters Ford HS where she performed in many plays and recently attended her 75th class reunion. Donna started in Knox as a switchboard operator, then married and became an at-home mom. She also worked at the Bureau for Motor Vehicles, an assistant for Dr Ingwell MD and Dr Amos DDS, secretary, bookkeeper for Commercial Honing, Davis Plumbing and Heating, and helped Herbert to run the Shell jobbership in Knox for a number of years.
She always was "dressed to the nines" and often with her preferred work updo with a French twist. She would like to be remembered for her spunk and sass, her generous smile, twinkling blue eyes, listening ear, warm heart and her love of exchanging greeting cards. She always was quick to give a compliment, kind word of encouragement and emotional support in time of need. Donna proudly participated in voting in elections.
Donna's memorial visitation will be Fri., Aug. 12th, 6 - 8pm and Sat., Aug. 13th, 9 - 11am at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road. Mask wearing is requested, and extra masks will be available. There also will be a private church Mass at St Brigid Catholic Church. As per her wishes, she will be cremated.
In lieu of flowers, we suggest a donation in her name to St Brigid Catholic Church, 1520 Hepburn Ave., Louisville, 40204; Nativity Academy at St Boniface, 529 East Liberty St., Louisville, 40202; Making Strides Against Breast Cancer (Team Kelly Girls), or an act of compassion or kindness in her honor and memory.
Thank you to Father Gary Padgett who administered the sacraments of Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation to Donna at the age of 89 along with Anointing of the Sick at her life's end. We are grateful for your guidance and compassion on her faith and spiritual journey.
Thank you also to the Palliative Care unit at Baptist Health Louisville and to Hosparus Louisville, especially Valerie, Natalie, Madelyn and Donna for the comfort and compassion they provided, and to Marcie, Ashley, Johnniece, Cindi, and Mary of Atria (Vitality Living) of Stonybrook for the kindness and smiles they shared. Donna wished to share a message and a special thank you to her sole caregiver, her daughter, Kathy Gahm, and to her grandchildren. "Kathy, thank you for taking me by the hand and lovingly guiding me through these past 6 years. I couldn't have done it without you. And thank you to my grandchildren who gave me a reason to keep going these past 6 years, to make more memories. I treasured every minute spent with you. I love you very much."
She was also preceded in death by her husband Robert Wahl of Porter, IN, her former husband Herbert Rogers of Knox, IN; brother, Norman Kelly of Culver, IN; and sister, Glenna Haschel of Winamac, IN; (former) in-laws, Bill (Jean) Rogers of Ft Myers, FL; and (former) in-laws, Sally (Earl) Killingsworth of Baker, LA.
Left to cherish her memory are her children, Kathy Gahm (former spouse, Phillip) of Louisville, and Christy Zorn (Nick) of Brandon, FL; her grandchildren, Amy (Joel) Gahm-Derbin, Nicklaus, Chelsey, Evan, Amber Gahm and Ryan and Cole Zorn; stepdaughters, Carol (Craig) Flynn of Buffalo, NY and Debbie (Bruce) Baldwin of Carmel, IN; step-grandchildren, Daniel (Kayla), Adam, Meghan, Kaitlin Flynn and Matthew, Nathan, Jacob Baldwin; step great- grandchildren, Madison and Teagan Flynn. Donna is survived by her brother, Gene (Mary) Kelly of Ft. Wayne, IN and sister-in-law, Marilyn Kelly of Culver, IN; and many nieces and nephews. Donna is also survived by her lifetime best friend and classmate, Bonnie Hoover.
Donna graduated from Leiters Ford HS where she performed in many plays and recently attended her 75th class reunion. Donna started in Knox as a switchboard operator, then married and became an at-home mom. She also worked at the Bureau for Motor Vehicles, an assistant for Dr Ingwell MD and Dr Amos DDS, secretary, bookkeeper for Commercial Honing, Davis Plumbing and Heating, and helped Herbert to run the Shell jobbership in Knox for a number of years.
She always was "dressed to the nines" and often with her preferred work updo with a French twist. She would like to be remembered for her spunk and sass, her generous smile, twinkling blue eyes, listening ear, warm heart and her love of exchanging greeting cards. She always was quick to give a compliment, kind word of encouragement and emotional support in time of need. Donna proudly participated in voting in elections.
Donna's memorial visitation will be Fri., Aug. 12th, 6 - 8pm and Sat., Aug. 13th, 9 - 11am at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road. Mask wearing is requested, and extra masks will be available. There also will be a private church Mass at St Brigid Catholic Church. As per her wishes, she will be cremated.
In lieu of flowers, we suggest a donation in her name to St Brigid Catholic Church, 1520 Hepburn Ave., Louisville, 40204; Nativity Academy at St Boniface, 529 East Liberty St., Louisville, 40202; Making Strides Against Breast Cancer (Team Kelly Girls), or an act of compassion or kindness in her honor and memory.
Thank you to Father Gary Padgett who administered the sacraments of Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation to Donna at the age of 89 along with Anointing of the Sick at her life's end. We are grateful for your guidance and compassion on her faith and spiritual journey.
Thank you also to the Palliative Care unit at Baptist Health Louisville and to Hosparus Louisville, especially Valerie, Natalie, Madelyn and Donna for the comfort and compassion they provided, and to Marcie, Ashley, Johnniece, Cindi, and Mary of Atria (Vitality Living) of Stonybrook for the kindness and smiles they shared. Donna wished to share a message and a special thank you to her sole caregiver, her daughter, Kathy Gahm, and to her grandchildren. "Kathy, thank you for taking me by the hand and lovingly guiding me through these past 6 years. I couldn't have done it without you. And thank you to my grandchildren who gave me a reason to keep going these past 6 years, to make more memories. I treasured every minute spent with you. I love you very much."