Donna Lee (nee Fechte) Ponce, 91, mother of three sons, grandmother of seven, and great-grandmother of seven was born June 8, 1933, at home in Venice, IL was called home to our Lord by natural causes on February 7, 2025, surrounded by her sons.

Donna grew up in Venice, IL as youngest in a close knit, loving family with her father Alvin (an operating engineer), mother Dorothy (nee Rinne)(secretary), and brothers William & Robert.  From an early age Donna always wanted to become "a Mommy & a teacher".  Babysitting, playing clarinet in the marching band, and being named 1949 May Queen as a sophomore highlighted her years at Venice High School.  Donna met her future husband Lawrence Ponce when she was in the eighth grade and dated throughout the next seven years finally marrying Lawrence on January 16, 1954.

Donna's dream of being "a Mommy and a teacher" was fulfilled in her three sons in whom she was the first to teach about God's love, kindness, wisdom, honesty, and integrity which were all part of who Donna was in addition to a keen sense of humor.  A trained cosmetologist, Donna owned and operated Donna's Beauty Salon out of her basement for many years.

Donna was a faithful member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church and was active in the Altar Guild, Helping Hands, as well as volunteering to serve lunches at St Paul's Lutheran School over many years.  She enjoyed going on vacations, sewing, crafting, cooking and especially enjoyed the most important thing in her life…her faith and her family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Ponce, who passed away on May 22, 2022; father-in-law, Sam Ponce & mother-in-law, Mamie Ponce of Venice, IL; daughter-in-law, Barbara "Babs" (nee Schmitt) Ponce; granddaughter-in-law, Tracy (nee Caffrey) Ponce; brother, William Fechte; sisters-in-law, Catherine Ponce; Delores Fechte; Laura Fechte; and niece, Deborah (nee Fechte) Uschan.

Surviving is her brother, Robert Fechte of Granite City; her brother-in-law, Roy Ponce of Granite City; her sons: Larry (Vicki) Ponce of Troy, Gary (Robin) Ponce of Maryville, and, Mark (Cindy) Ponce of Troy; grandchildren: Eric (Jennifer) Ponce of Collinsville, Nicholas (Dusty) Ponce of Springfield, IL, Brandon (Jessica) Ponce of St. Jacob, IL, Lindsay (Brandon) Jones of Sappington, MO, Jordan (Gabby) Ponce of St. Louis, MO, Joshua Ponce of St. Jacob and Jayden Ponce of St. Louis, MO; great-grandchildren: Riley Ponce of Maryville, IL, Izabella Ponce & Zachary Ponce of Springfield, IL, Sophia Rupp of St. Louis, MO, Ashlyn Ponce & Alaynna Ponce of St. Jacob, IL and Kaden (Alexis) Marmon of San Diego, CA; as well as many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Memorials may be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Troy or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.  Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.barrywilsonfuneralhome.com.

Visitation will be held 10:00AM – 12:00 PM on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Funeral Service will be held at 12:00 PM on February 15, 2025, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church with Rev. Albert Collver officiating.  Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Edwardsville, IL immediately following the funeral service.

Barry Wilson funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.