Donna Auten

Donna J. Auten, 81, of Cass City, died following a lengthy illness, Tuesday September 25, 2018 in her home. She was born March 18, 1937 at home in Evergreen Township to Lloyd and Irene (McNaughton) Bader. She married Gerald J. Auten on August 6, 1955 in Salem United Methodist Church.

Donna worked for Walbro until starting her family, she returned to work in 1974 and continued until retiring in 1998. She was a member of Cass City United Methodist Church since 1964, where she served as Sunday school teacher and sang in the choir. Donna and Gerald were charter members of the Northwood Stompers Camper Club. Together they danced for over 50 years as members of the Town and Country Square Dance Club. She was a member of the Friends of the Thumb Octagon Barn and of the Thumb Two Cylinder Club. Donna enjoyed puzzles and collecting dolls, but above all else, she loved her family.

Donna is survived by her husband, Gerald; children: Darlene (Riggs) Bedford of Center Line; Jul Ann (Ronald) Kuenzli of Deford; Colleen (Terry) Sweeney of Cass City; Geraldine Auten of Center Line; grandchildren: Andrea Bedford, Holly (Edward) Wilson, Emily (Andy) Kaake, Katelyn (Ben Sanders) Kuenzli, Jennifer (Ron Hubble) Sweeney, Rebecca (James Stein) Sweeney, Heather (Steven) Walther; great grandchildren: Johanna, Taylor, Johnathon, Wyatt, Gracelyn; sisters: Marjorie Caister of Cass City, Helen Hubbard of Kingston, Audrey Halas of Royal Oak; brother-in-law, Ronald Parrott of Cass City; sisters-in-law: Sandra Bader of Cass City, Kathleen Warner of Vassar; special friend and caregiver, Brenda Kawecki; many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her brothers: Robert (Shirley) Bader, Dale Bader; sister, Wanda Parrott; brothers-in-law: Arthur Caister, Gene Chapin, Newell Hubbard, Art Warner.

Funeral service held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 29, 2018 in Cass City United Methodist Church with Rev. Bob Demyanovich officiating. Interment in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City. Memorials may be made to Cass City United Methodist Church, Thumb Octagon Barn or Heartland Hospice. Pallbearers for Mrs. Auten are her sons-in-law and grandsons. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.

Visitation: 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, September 27, 2018 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City
2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, September 28, 2018 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City
9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, September 29, 2018 in church

Arrangements by
Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, Michigan
Debra L. Kranz - 989-872-2195