Donna Robinson Nelson of Traverse City, Michigan, passed away at the Grand Traverse Pavilions on November 11, 2023. She was born in Lansing, MI to Donald and Elizabeth Robinson on September 2, 1936. She graduated from Lansing Eastern High School in 1954 and was working at the MSU Placement Bureau where she met her husband, Harlow Nelson, and they were married at the MSU Chapel on March 2, 1957.

They moved frequently as he was in the Air Force and then large corporations. She proved strong and resilient as her first daughter Lori was born in Bartow, FL, then her second Marci in Spokane, WA. After a couple years in Schenectady, NY, the third daughter Kristi was born in San Jose, CA, and finally her son Dean was born in Detroit. She is a very friendly and pleasant person so she made friends everywhere they lived. The family moved to Traverse City in 1971 and she worked as a receptionist for Dr. Robert Montgomery Dental Office and then Dr. Stan Micheal, MD for many years.

Donna was a devoted fan of Michigan State football, basketball, and hockey teams all her life. She also liked to golf and was an original member of the Ladies Golf League at Elmbrook Golf Course. She leaves many good friends in Traverse City and elsewhere. She was devoted to her family and cherished spending time on the beach on East Bay with her children and grandchildren.

Donna is survived by her husband of 66 years, Harlow Nelson; her children Lori (Dave) Denoyer of Deforest, WI, Marci (Sam) Ramahi of Lincolnwood, IL, Kristine (David) Taylor of Savannah, GA, and Dean (Judy) Nelson of Lutz, FL; and grandchildren Angela (Geoff) Denoyer, Katrina Denoyer, Jasmine (Alex) Ramahi, Sirene Ramahi, Brandyn Nelson, and Davey Taylor.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Donald Malott and Adrian Robinson. Relatives and friends may call on the family during a time of visitation from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Friday, December 1, 2023, at Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 305 Sixth Street, Traverse City, Michigan 49684. The memorial service for Donna will follow at 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to offer expressions of sympathy are encouraged to make a memorial contribution to the Susan G. Komen Rally for the Cure, P.O. Box 801889 Dallas, TX 75380; or to the Grand Traverse Pavilions, 1000 Pavilions Circle, Traverse City MI 49684.