Donna Mae Emmerich

Donna Mae Emmerich, 91, of Mosinee, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 4, 2026, surrounded by love.

Born May 2, 1934, in Wausau, WI, to Elroy and Dorthea Utecht, she was the firstborn of five children and raised on a dairy farm in the town of Maine, north of Wausau. In 1952, while attending a 4-H roller skating party during her senior year of high school, Donna met a young man from Mosinee who was crashing the party with his friends—her first encounter with Arden Emmerich. They married one year later and celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary on March 12, 2026.

Donna and Arden lived in Mosinee their entire married lives. In the early years, Donna worked in the office at the Mosinee Paper Mill before transitioning to full-time homemaking to raise their four children. In 1973, she earned her real estate license, and together they started Hom Mart Realty in Schofield, WI. Later, as their company grew its offering of rental properties, Donna added leasing manager, lawn care technician , painter, and cleaning specialist to her impressive resume. She also learned the art of growing ginseng and balsam Christmas trees on their farm near Mosinee. At age 65, she took on her favorite role as head merchandiser and wreath maker for her daughter and son-in-law's seasonal Christmas tree and gift barn business in Mosinee, delighting customers for 20 years.

Donna loved to dance, travel, tend her flower garden, feed the birds, read, play cards, and gather with friends and family. She delighted in exploring near and far, often in the company of her treasured friend Jan. A disciplined daily walker, she enhanced her own health and happiness—and brightened the days of those she greeted along the way.

She faithfully served others through her church, Mosinee United Methodist Church, where she and Arden were active members for 73 years. Her Church family and friends were a cherished part of her life.

Her ready smile, patience, kindness, strong work ethic, and famous homemade chocolate chip cookies were cherished by all who knew her.

Donna is survived by her siblings Shirley Baumann (Summit Lake), Burnell (Jeanette) Utecht (Town of Maine), Nancy Chervenka (Neenah), and Michael (Mary) Utecht (Cicero, IN); sisters-in-law Marita Wagner (Appleton) and Gwen Emmerich (Menominee Falls); Children Jeff (Heddy) Emmerich (Norwich, CT), Susan Lang (Wausau), Cheryl (Tim) Paulson (Mosinee), and daughter-in-law Jan Knox (Columbia Falls, MT), and family friend Roger Lang (Wausau); loving grandchildren Madelin Lang, Jake Lang, McKenna Emmerich, Ben Paulson, Michael Grillo and family friend Danni Niles; great-grandchildren Mason , Rowan, Tristin, and Oona: many nieces, nephews, their children, and caring friends. She was preceded in death by her son Scott Emmerich in 2018 (Columbia Falls, MT).

A celebration of Donna's life will be scheduled at a future date.

In honor of Donna, please consider feeding the birds, planting flowers, or baking cookies in her memory.

Beste Funeral Home of Mosinee is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be directed to the family at www.bestefh.com.

A warm thank you to the Aspirus Hospice House team for their care and kindness.