Donna J. Kerkhoff — Duker & Haugh

Donna J. Kerkhoff, age 74, of Quincy, IL died peacefully on Monday, March 17, 2025, in her long-time home surrounded by her husband and beloved gardens. She was born on January 13, 1951, in Quincy, the daughter of Roy and Dorothy (Waggoner) Genenbacher. On June 3, 1978, she married William “Bill” Kerkhoff who survives.

Donna graduated from Quincy Notre Dame and obtained her teaching degree from Quincy College. She was a first-grade elementary school teacher, art instructor, and later served as the pre-school teacher and director before retiring from St. Peter’s. Mrs. Kerkhoff left an indelible impact on thousands of children whom she loved and educated over her career. After retirement, “Mima” loved to spend time caring for her seven rambunctious grandchildren – a motherly love, impact, and commitment that will be felt for generations. Donna proudly taught her own boys how to play baseball and coached their teams before becoming their biggest lifelong fan, advocate, and supporter.

Donna was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church along with her husband Bill.

In her later years, she enjoyed tending to her expansive home gardens and caring for flowers. She breathed that passion into her Grandchildren with decades of loving outdoor adventures with little one’s hand-in-hand. Like her own mother, Mima loved baking and enthusiastically taught her little ones how to bake cakes, pies, and sweets over decades of countertop seats and cooking projects.

Donna’s place of joy was anywhere together with family, from annual family trips to Lake of the Ozarks, to weekly bedtime books with the youngest, to persistent hosting and planning for ‘big’ holidays such as Christmas, Easter, and the Fourth of July. Mima would plan for months to ensure her kids and grandkids had memories to last a lifetime with every moment thoughtfully preserved in photos.

Donna was a member of her Notre Dame Class Reunion Committee and enjoyed planning events and parties. She was a socialite at heart and loved making connections with old friends and making new ones. She frequently spent time with her beloved sister, Barb, gardening, baking, and traveling.

In addition to her husband, Donna is also survived by: Her three children: Aaron (Michelle) Kerkhoff of Quincy; Mark (Abby) Kerkhoff of Palmyra, MO; Lauren (Tyler) Neumann of Dubuque, IA.

Seven grandchildren: Jackson, Carson, and Madison Kerkhoff; Raylan and Crosby Neumann; and Nathan and Mia Kerkhoff. A sister: Barbara (Kenneth) Cantrell of Quincy. Nieces and nephews also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents, and a brother, Roger Genenbacher.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, March 24, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in St. Francis Catholic Church. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Duker and Haugh. Memorials are suggested to Quincy Notre Dame High School & St. Francis Solanus Catholic Elementary School. Messages may be shared online at www.dukerandhaugh.com