Donna M. Polanek, 82, died June 25, 2023, in Woodstock. Donna was born on November 4, 1940, in Chicago, Illinois to Frederick Thomas Speer and Henrietta Dorothy (Witte). She was a devoted wife for 53 years to her childhood sweetheart, Edward Polanek, until Ed passed away in December of 2013. Loving mother of Victoria Drendel and her husband James; her son Daniel Polanek; Beth Hertrich and her husband James; Tina Polanek; and Timothy Polanek and his wife Rosario. Donna is survived by her 11 grandchildren: Jennifer, Sean, Molly, Abby, Emalie, Danny, Jaclyn, Zackary, Joshua, Alessia and Melissa and 2 great-grandchildren, Sofia and Dominic. Donna is also survived by her brother Walter Speer and his wife Carol.
Donna and Ed made their first home in Chicago; in the early 1970’s they moved to Bull Valley. Donna was born a city girl with a childhood dream of owning and riding horses, so Donna and Ed built and operated High View Ranch together. After that, for twenty-nine years Donna and Ed made their home in Richmond, IL. In 2014 Donna moved to McHenry, where she enjoyed visits from her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Donna was an avid parishioner of St. Peter’s Church in Spring Grove. Donna always had a deep sense of family and faith in the Lord. Those that loved her will miss her dearly. Mom, we will always remember you.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 26 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. and the funeral mass will be at 11 a.m. all at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 2118 Main Street, Spring Grove. Inurnment will follow at St. Peter’s Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, it was Donna’s wish that any memorial tributes be made in the form of charitable donations to hearthstonewoodstock.org or Nationalmssociety.org. For more information, please call DeFiore Funeral Home, 847-515-8772 or online condolences can be directed to www.defiorefuneral.com
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Many prayers and sympathy for the entire family. May happy and loving memories carry you through this sad time.