Donna Louise Lynch, 86, of Rosebush was called by the Lord while surrounded by her loving family at her home on December 29, 2020. Donna was born the 13th of 17 children on December 21, 1934 in Isabella County to Frederick “Ped” and Mary “Myrtle” (Lane) Burch.
She graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School class of 1952 and in recent years enjoyed meeting Oiler classmates for their monthly lunches. On January 29, 1955 Donna married her handsome groom, Terry Lynch, at St. Henry’s Church in Rosebush. They were blessed to enjoy 52 years of marriage and celebrated their years together surrounded by their family at the same altar where they professed their love 50 years earlier. While raising their growing family, Donna and Terry were self-employed as owners of the White Wagon Motel and Restaurant for over 30 years. Donna worked tirelessly preparing meals for hungry patrons and as a team they provided a special gathering place for family, friends, and the Rosebush Community. She loved her years at the restaurant where she formed many friendships and life-long relationships with both her employees and customers. Later in life, because of her strong work ethic, she continued in food service at Central Vending for over ten years, retiring at the age of 83. Donna was an active member of St. Henry’s Parish, and later Sacred Heart. She served her fellow parishioners as a eucharistic minister and helped prepare funeral dinners.
Donna enjoyed baking pies and cooking, always making extra to share. She delighted in playing cards with her family and also with her friends at the Rosebush American Legion. Above all else, Donna loved her big family and instilled in them a deep faith and strong values. She will always be remembered for her giving heart and helping hands. She embodied the sentiment of “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Her children and grandchildren share fond memories of annual trips to Northern Exposure Chalet at Crystal Mountain, Easter egg hunts at Grandma’s, summer fun at Eight Point Lake, family camping weekends at her pond, trips on Frank’s bus for Christmas caroling and high school tournaments, barn dances at the Lynch Family Barn, and annual winter gatherings at Shallow Creek Hunting Camp.
Donna is survived by some of the luckiest people: her children Terry Joe (Vonnie) Lynch, Cindy Lou (Richard) Cooper, Mary Kay (Dave) Reetz, and Ed (Kara) Lynch of Mt. Pleasant and Gary (Missy) Lynch, Frank (Betty Pasch) Lynch, Pat Leo (Angel) Lynch, and Ken (Heather) Lynch of Rosebush, 24 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, sister, Suzanne (George) Moeggenberg of Fort Myers, FL, sisters-in-law Dorothy Burch of Coleman, Sandy Burch of Rosebush, Marjorie Lynch Park of Orange City, FL and numerous nieces and nephews who all loved her dearly.
Donna was preceded in death by her loving husband, Terry, her parents, brothers Pat, James Frederick, Jim, Ken, and Joe and sisters Mary Sharp, Julia Hovey, Rosie Sponseller, Florence Bullard Schultz, Lucille Mogg, Irene Evans, Bonnie Mogg, Martha “Mickey” Prout, Margaret Burch, and Helen Horan.
A private visitation and funeral mass for Donna will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 4, 2021 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Don Henkes and Father Loren Kalinowski co-celebrating. Friends are invited to attend the services via a live broadcast by visiting the webcasting link at Donna’s Book of Memories at www.clarkfuneralchapel.com or
www.facebook.com/clarkfuneralchapel.
Interment will be at St. Henry Cemetery in Rosebush where the family hand-dug the grave for both their mother and father. Funeral arrangements are being planned through Clark Family Funeral Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Henry Center at PO Box 214, Rosebush, MI 48878 or to the Rosebush 4th of July Committee, PO Box 165, Rosebush, MI 48878 for the development of the village corner lot.
The family extends their warmest gratitude to the staff and residents of Rosebush Manor where Mom truly felt at home. Our appreciation also goes to the Heartland Hospice providers who helped us care for our mother at home in her last weeks.
Though we will dearly miss our mother, we will cherish our memories of the years we shared. We are the product of her love and sacrifice. May God hold her close until we see her again.