Donahue, Louise A. “Weezie”

Louise A. “Weezie” Donahue, age 87, of Dodgeville, passed away on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at Crest Ridge Assisted Living in Dodgeville, surrounded by her loving family.

Louise was born on August 7, 1938, to Walter and Lilah Giraud in Sparta, WI. She was the youngest of 5 children. The family lived in Sparta until moving to La Crosse when Louise was 7. She graduated from Aquinas Catholic High School in 1956 and married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Joel (Duke) Donahue, a year later. Together they had 5 children and they moved to Dodgeville in 1960. Louise was a stay at home mom and enjoyed attending all of her children’s events. She was an active member of St. Joseph’s Church and Altar Society. Always available to help those in need, she was a member of the Dodgeville Hospital Auxiliary for over 30 years, helping raise funds for the hospital and volunteering for Hospice.

When her youngest child went to high school, Louise entered the workforce at the Dodgeville Walmart when it opened in 1985. Later she started working at Bloomfield Manor Nursing Home in the Activity department, a job she truly loved for 15 years. In 2012, Louise retired from Lands’ End retail after working there for 25 years.

Louise enjoyed bowling, golf, playing bridge with the same club for 25 years, being a “Red Hat Lady” and a special passion for scrapbooking.  Louise loved to make scrapbooks for her family. She loved to dress up for holidays, special occasions, and was the go-to house to find costumes. Louise could be found dressed as the Easter Bunny or Mrs. Claus at Bloomfield, in the community, and at family gatherings. Holidays were made that much more memorable for her family because they always looked forward to seeing what she was wearing. After moving to Crestridge, she continued her tradition of dressing up by getting other residents to participate in her shenanigans. Most recently, she was named MVP at Crestridge during National Assisted Living Week.

She was a kind, caring soul who will be missed dearly by all who loved her.

Louise is survived by her children: Deb (Dan) Rosenthal of Dodgeville, Scott Donahue of Verona, Jeff Donahue of Colorado, Ann (Jim) Swenson of Blanchardville, and Patti Jasinski of Barneveld; sister Geri Bruha; 12 grandchildren, 2 step grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and many special nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Duke; her parents, Walter and Lilah; mother-in-law Gen Donahue; her siblings Mae (Trenton) Midge (Bob), Darrel, brother in law Tom Bruha, infant granddaughter Mara;

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at ST. JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC CHURCH in Dodgeville. Inurnment will be held in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Monday at the GORGEN-McGINLEY & AYERS FUNERAL HOME in Dodgeville and from 10:00 a.m. until time of Mass on Tuesday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Crestridge Assisted Living or Iowa County Humane Society.

Louise’s family wants to extend their heartfelt gratitude for the care and compassion provided to her while she lived at Crestridge and Agrace Hospice. There are too many of you to mention by name, but we want you to know that she loved you, and we are forever thankful for your kindness.

Gorgen-McGinley & Ayers 

Funeral Home

www.gorgenfh.com