Donna Maria Lucas Holt, 92

Donna Marie Lucas-Holt, age 92, of Franklin, WI, formerly of Butternut, WI, died on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at Ascension Hospital in Franklin.  She was born on June 5, 1932, in Butternut, the daughter of Andrew and Hazel (McInnis) Ketterl.  Donna was Valedictorian of her class, graduating from Butternut High School in 1950.  On September 29, 1951, she married William J. Lucas, who preceded her in death in 1991.  On November 17, 1995, she married Bud Holt, who preceded her in death in 2015. 

Donna worked for Wallerman’s Plumbing, E.J. Aschenbrenner Insurance Company, Park Falls State Bank, and St. Anthony’s School, retiring in 1994.  In between jobs, she dedicated 19 years at home to raise and care for her three children.

She was a member of St. Anthony’s Christian Mother’s Society and held various offices in the organization and worked on many projects.  She organized the church cleaning groups and funeral dinner groups working with the ladies for many years.  Because of her involvement, she was named Christian Woman of the year several times.  While working at the school, she held various offices in the Home and School Association and was active in many projects at the school, including all of their fund-raising activities.  All of the students were her second family and she remembered them even though they are now married and have their own children. 

Donna volunteered for cancer crusades and did auditing for Northwoods Community Credit Union for a number of years. 

Her love of travel took her and her family all over the world and the 50 States.  She also chaperoned band students on their various trips.

She was an expert seamstress and loved to sew for her grandchildren and nieces & nephews.  They were the love of her life.  Donna also sewed her sister’s wedding dress and made special baptismal garments and bonnets for her family and friends. 

She was a member of the Harmony Homemakers and loved to do crafting and knit sweaters, socks, and mittens.

Donna was a caregiver for many years for her mother, mother-in-law, and two husbands.

Donna attended church at St. Mary’s of the Lake in Hales Corners, WI, Immaculate Conception Church in Butternut, WI and St. Anthony’s in Park Falls, WI.

She is survived by her children: Thomas (Barbara) Lucas of Avon, OH, Rev. James Lucas of Green Bay, WI and Jean Mathe of Franklin, WI, beloved grandchildren Sarah (Joe) Gibson, Jacob Mathe, and Brian Lucas.  Step-daughters, Syndee Jorgensen of Brookfield, WI and Sandra Nedset of New Berlin, WI.  Step-grandchildren:  Daniel (Stacey) Nedset, Mark (Krissy) Nedset, and Abbey (George) Pfeifer, and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents (Andrew and Hazel Ketterl), her sister Karen Just, her brother James Ketterl, her two husbands ,William Lucas and Bud Holt, and an infant nephew.

A Funeral Mass will be offered at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Park Falls on Friday May 16, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.  Fr. Shaji Pazhukkathara and Donna’s son, Fr. James Lucas, will co-officiate.

Burial will follow at Nola Cemetery in Park Falls.

A visitation will be hosted at the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of the Mass.

Memorials will be dedicated to the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi, St. Francis, WI and St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Park Falls, WI.

A sincere thank you and deepest gratitude is extended to the Third Floor ICU staff at Ascension Health Care, Franklin, WI, for their care and compassion shared during Donna’s final days.

Birch Street Funeral Service is assisting the family