Obituaries

Donna Marie Mauntel, aged 91, passed away peacefully at Delnor Hospital on Saturday, June 25, 2022. 

Donna was born in Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada on February 15, 1931 to Benjamin and Minnie Cable. She later immigrated with her mother, Minnie, to Dixon, Illinois as a young girl.  She remained in Dixon through her childhood, surrounded by her adoring mother and stepfather, grandparents, aunts and uncles. 

Donna shined brightly in school. After graduating from Dixon High School, she continued her education at Illinois State University, where she graduated with a BS degree in Education. It was there that she caught the attention of her future husband of almost 57 years, Robert (Bob) Raaf Mauntel, while chasing butterflies on the quad. After graduation and marrying Bob in June of 1953, they welcomed two children: a daughter, Kathi, in 1954 and a son, Tim, 1958.

Donna embarked on what would become an over 30-year career in early childhood education. As a beloved kindergarten teacher at Little Woods and Lincoln Elementary Schools, Donna’s love of learning and ability to connect with children positively impacted countless lives in the Fox River Valley. Her passion for helping the community she loved continued after retirement through her volunteer work – she held volunteer positions with Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice, Anderson Humane, Literacy Volunteers Fox Valley and Delnor Hospital locally. Her home away from home was Marco Island, Florida and she shared her generous spirit as a volunteer there at Marco Island’s Urgent Care Center and at Tommie Barfield Elementary School.

As her pennants and knowledge of rosters revealed, Donna was a fiercely loyal and lifelong Cubs fan. She adored cheering on her children, and later grandchildren and great-granddaughters at any sporting event they participated in. She was also a lover of music and singing (Go, Cubs Go! and Take Me Out to the Ballgame were always a favorite), played the living room piano notably well, and took great pleasure in live Broadway musicals. And as her wardrobe and stationery choices would remind you, she always held a special place in her heart for cats, of which she cared for many throughout her life (Wrigley, Miss Molly, and Jasmine.) 

Donna loved studying and exploring the world around her. She shared many wonderful adventures with her husband and children and later in life, her grandchildren, Maggie and Tim. A trip with Donna was sure to include learning about the places visited, exploring as much as possible and fun was always mandatory.

Those who knew Donna best will easily recall her one-of-a-kind personality. Nobody was safe when it came to Donna’s humor – she loved sharing jokes, playing pranks and laughing with those she loved. Her energetic spirit, intelligence, quick-wit, and uniquely risqué sense of humor brought so much joy to her friends and family. 

Donna is survived by her greatest joy, her family – her daughter, Kathi (Dennis) O’Brien and her son, Tim (Katherine) Mauntel; her grandchildren, Maggie Walsh and Tim Rairdon; her step-grandchildren Abbey O’Brien and Eian O’Brien; and her two great granddaughters, Libby and Meara Walsh.

Her parents and her loving husband, Bob Mauntel, preceded her in death.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Donna’s memory to Anderson Humane 1000 S. La Fox Street, South Elgin, Illinois 60177 or the charity of your choice.

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