Donna Elke

Donna Elke's Celebration of life will be held on Saturday May 16th from 2pm-5pm at Maywood Sportsmen Club (700 N. County Line Rd. Elmhurst IL, 60126) in the Club house. Food will be provided throughout the event buffet style for all to enjoy.

Donna May Wasmund Elke was born to parents Gaylord Wasmund and Arlo Bunte Wasmund on December 30th, 1958, in Geneva IL. Despite being a city girl, Donna enjoyed spending her childhood on the Kautz farm alongside her mom, brother, aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandma Bunte. Throughout high school, Donna spent her time playing field hockey, badminton, and the clarinet in the school band. Graduating Geneva high school in 1977. Following high school, Donna attended Northern Illinois University where she met her future husband, Ross Elke. In 1981 she graduated Northern with her Bachelor degree in primary school education. After graduating, Donna learned the ins and outs of the hardware business, becoming the manager of a 'Home Hardware' store. 

In 1984, Donna married her college sweetheart Ross Elke. They bought their first home together in Glendale Heights. She worked as a carrier for the United States Postal Service until the birth of her first daughter Ashley in 1990, when she made the decision to become a stay-at-home mom. Her workload doubled in 1993 with the birth of her second daughter Laura. Out growing the home and to be closer to their church, in 1998 they bought a home in Roselle IL. There Donna started working at the girl's school as a teacher's aide. She continued her work at Trinity Lutheran Church until her daughters' graduations. Moving on as a teacher's aide at Clarewood's Academy to work with children with special needs. After a few years working to develop children's skills, family friends asked for her to help with their newborn photography business. 

In 2019, Donna was diagnosed with non-specific interstitial lung disease. December of 2021, she received a double lung transplant. Following this Donna would continue to have ups and downs with her health but never lost her positive outlook on life or her faith in the Lord. During this time Donna watched her daughters blossom, both marrying wonderful husbands and each giving her a beautiful granddaughter. In June 2024, Donna's youngest daughter Laura was diagnosed with leukemia. She passed from complications in October 2025. January 10th, 2026, Donna saw many family and friends at Laura's celebration of life and appreciated all the love and support that was given. Two days later Donna was admitted to Loyola with pneumonia. She passed on March 3rd, 2026, surrounded by family and loving friends. 

Donna found so much joy in her life, in things both small and big. She was a diehard bears fan, with her favorite player being Brian Urlacher. Donna was an assistant baseball coach for the girl's little league, a Christ care leader for bible study, and had high average in the women's bowling league. Growing up around the farm she grew a love for animals, with many pets accompanying her over the years. This farm life also followed her with her love of fishing and shooting at the Maywood Park Sportsman Club. She met numerous new friends at MSC that became part of her family. Despite being busy with the kids and hobbies, she would make time to travel, with some of her places being Cancun, Niagara Falls, Smokey Mountains, Europe , and spots all over the United States. 

Donna is preceded in death by her grandparents, aunts, uncles, Grandma Mary Bunte, Mother Arlo Bunte Wasmund, Father Gaylord Wasmund, and Daughter Laura Robson. She is survived by her husband of 42 years Ross Elke, daughter Ashley (Jarino) Elke, brother Marvin (Suzi) Wasmund, brother-in-law Roger (Cinder) Elke, her grandchildren Arlo and Devin, son-in-law Danny Robson, nephews, and her loving Kautz cousins.

Donna Elke's Celebration of life will be held on Saturday May 16th from 2pm-5pm at Maywood Sportsmen Club (700 N. County Line Rd. Elmhurst IL, 60126) in the Club house. Food will be provided throughout the event buffet style for all to enjoy.

In lieu of flowers those who wish may make a memorial donation to the Elke family in honor of Donna.