Donna (Krouse) Slesnick

May 6, 1926 - March 30, 2018

Donna May was the eldest child of Bertha and James Edwin Krouse. She was born and raised in the little town of Lima, Ohio. Throughout her life, her warm nature, quick wit and love of laughter drew people to her and led to many lifelong friendships. She was brilliant and hardworking, qualities that earned her a physics scholarship from Bausch & Lomb, an award she turned down in favor of becoming a teacher.

She met her husband, Irwin, at Bowling Green State University. They married in 1947 and embarked on a life full of children, work, gardening, travel, and adventures large and small.

They spent four years in India, an adventure Donna began with trepidation, but ended with a love of the country and its people so great that she didn’t want to leave.

After India, traveling became a passion. She never took any of the trips for granted, instead frequently expressing wonder as the world opened up to her.

Donna loved putting her hands in soil and that love bore fruit in the incredible gardens she created in spaces large and small.

She loved reading and music.

She loved playing games: bridge, scrabble, puzzles, cribbage. She loved her siblings. She loved her children and grandchildren; what mattered most to her was that they were happy.

She was gentle and sensitive. She listened carefully and with her heart. She was a liberal.

We all love her more than words can say.

Donna is survived by her five children, Trina Padoll, Twila Slesnick, Daniel Slesnick, Tanya Slesnick and Natasha Slesnick, as well as grandchildren Tyson Slesnick, Nolan Slesnick, Lara Slesnick, Dain Jaderlund, Soren Jaderlund, Tatiana Slesnick, and Ricky Gozur. She is also survived by her brothers James Krouse, Norman Krouse, Paul Krouse, and her sister, Margaret Reiner.