Vicky Donakowski

Vicky Donakowski, born on July 30, 1955, in Alpena, Michigan, passed away peacefully on February 22, 2025. A beloved mother, friend, and generous and active member of the community, Vicky often put others before herself.

If she wasn’t cooking or serving food for others, she was rarely seen without a pair of knitting needles in her hands. She was an avid and skilled knitter and crafter who designed beautiful handknit clothing and accessories without ever learning to read a pattern.

A dedicated supporter of the community, Vicky spent countless hours working and volunteering to help others – most recently at the American Legion where she was loved and appreciated for her kindness, good humor, and support of the members.

In addition to her charitable endeavors, Vicky was an accomplished licensed hair stylist, proudly owning her own salon for many years. Later in life she began a small successful catering business while also assisting her husband with the daily operations of Beaver’s Radiator and Trim.

Vicky is survived by her daughters, Jenifer (Ryan) Lake and Jamie (Andrew) Norton, and grandchildren Adeline, Henry, and Jack; and her siblings, Karen Wilson, John Mielke, and Laura Roeschke, along with nieces Kelly (Chris) Webb and Anna (Ed) Grabow. 

She was preceded in death by her father, Richard Wilson, and her husband, Richard "Beaver" Donakowski.

Vicky Donakowski will be fondly remembered for her generous heart, creative spirit, and the love and laughs she shared with family and friends. Her legacy lives on in the warmth of her handcrafted gifts, the care and love she put into her delicious meals and desserts, and the lives she touched with her kindness and generosity.

She has been taken for cremation from A.E. Ross Funeral Home with no official services planned at this time per her wishes. The family plans to have a small gathering to celebrate her life later this summer. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice in her honor such as the American Legion or the American Heart Association or any local charity helping those in need.