Donna Kalmes

Donna Kalmes died December 2, 2017 at Welcome Home Assisted Living where she has been the last 6 1/2 years with her beloved cat Winston. Donna was born Feb 9, 1925 on a farm near Cream, WI to Herman and Enid Ristow. She went to high school in Alma, WI and graduated in 1943. Donna played in Rodney Ristow’s Band from 1939 to1948. She worked at the Federal Bakery in Winona, MN from 1944 to 1947. On September 28, 1948 Donna married Walt Kalmes. They were married for 49 years until Walt’s death in 1997. They lived in Winona, MN from 1948 to 1949 where she worked at JC Penny as a clerk. In 1949 they moved to Rochester MN. In 1954 they moved to Alma, WI. Donna worked part time at the courthouse and then became the Register in Probate for Buffalo County in 1964. She retired in 1990. Donna was a very loving strong devoted wife and mother who shared her love of God, family, and animals with her family. She enjoyed ceramics, crocheting, sewing, cooking, and gardening in years past. She was an active member of the St. Lawrence Catholic Church for many years where she volunteered in making quilts. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She will be sadly missed by her daughter Nancy (Ron) Anderson, Plum City, WI, granddaughters April (Kevin) Cowan, Mondovi, WI, and Amanda (Wes) Klinger, Woodville, WI, great- grandchildren Cole and Madilyn Klinger, and her very special companion, Winston, her cat. She was preceded in death by her husband Walt, her grandson Wade Anderson, her brother Rodney, her sister in law Irene Ristow, and her parents. A grave site service was held for the immediate family on December 4, 2017.