Donna Kay Nitz

Racine – Donna Kay Nitz, age 70, died on Saturday, March 14, 2015 after a 3-month, courageous battle with cancer. Donna was born in Champaign, IL on May 14, 1944 to the late Delmar and Ruby (nee: Garst) Husman. As a young girl, she cared for her three younger brothers and helped her kindergarten teacher. This began a life of teaching and helping children.

While teaching swimming lessons at the Washington Park pool, Donna met and fell in love with a young lifeguard, Warren Nitz. They married on August 24, 1963 at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. Their love continued to grow and surround four beautiful children. Donna graduated from Washington Park High School in 1962. After raising her children, she went on to earn a psychology degree from UW-Parkside, then taught kindergarten at St. Rita’s & St. Louis Catholic Grade Schools. She belonged to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and Racine Yacht Club. During her lifetime, Donna led Boy/Girl Scout troops; taught Sunday school; read storybooks to children while in costume; and made countless security blankets for the Linus Project, to be provided to children in times of crisis.

As a child, she enjoyed ice skating and playing her saxophone. Later she would enjoy sailing, gardening, traveling, art, crafts, quilting, crocheting, reading, baking and hosting family gatherings. Above all, Donna loved spending time with her entire family – especially with her treasured grandchildren. Surviving are her loving husband, Warren; their children, Brian (Virginia) Nitz, David (Amy) Nitz, Patricia (Larry) Zamba and Susan (Brian) Stahl; adored grandchildren, Alexander, Jeremy, Andrea, Arielle, Kira, Paris, Ciara, Evan, Ben, Calum, Sam, Joshua and Alison; brothers, Ronald, Del and Randy Husman; brother-in-law, Jerry (Cyndi) Nitz; many cherished nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents, Donna was preceded in death by her sisters-in-law, Linda (wife of Randy) and Patti (wife of Del) Husman; and by Warren’s parents, Herman and Hazel (nee: Hannon) Nitz.

Funeral services will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 3011 Erie Street, on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at 12:00 noon with Rev. John Bischoff and Rev. Janis Kinens officiating. Interment will follow in Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Monday from 5:00 – 8:00 pm and in the church on Tuesday from 11 am -12 noon. In memory of Donna, memorials to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Kidney Cancer Association or Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church have been suggested.