Obituary: Donna Mae England-Hankamp
Donna Mae England-Hankamp (1938 - 2017)
Donna Mae (Wahl) England-Hankamp passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 79 years of age, with her family by her side.
Donna was born in Saline, MI on October 3, 1938 at Saline Community Hospital. She was baptized, confirmed and married at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Saline. Donna called Saline, Manchester and Ann Arbor home. Punta Gorda, Florida was her second home where she loved being a Snowbird. In high school, Donna assisted Dr. Prout and Dr. Harold Miller with baby deliveries. This early interest in medicine and service spawned a nursing career that spanned 56 years. Donna graduated Saline High School in 1956. She received her BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) from the University of Michigan in 1960 beginning her career as a floor nurse at the University of Michigan Children’s Psychiatric facility and Pediatrics unit. She married James England in 1959, raising four daughters and spending four of their 28 years together in Germany. Upon returning to Saline in 1964, she resumed her nursing career first at Saline Hospital then Herrick Hospital in Tecumseh. There she worked as a surgical nurse for Dr. Buenflour, before moving to the Clinton office of doctors Eccles, Johnson & Okey. Her greatest joy was assisting Dr. Okey with home births. A friend of Bill W since 1981, Donna spent the final 17 years of her career working at Chelsea Hospital in the older adult substance abuse unit.
In 1972, Donna and her family moved to Manchester. Donna was involved with 4-H, where she developed her love for horses and was a Brownie leader. She was a member of Emanuel UCC, where she served as Superintendent of Sunday School and was involved in Women’s Fellowship. She married Dr. Lamar Hankamp in 1993. Together they traveled extensively to such far-reaching places as Israel and Alaska. Active Snowbirds, Donna and Lamar enjoyed several winters on Anna Marie Island. They chose Eagle Point in Punta Gorda in 1997 as their permanent “winter home” until Lamar’s death in 1998. Donna enjoyed sharing their homes with family and friends. In Florida, Donna loved her time with Ted Garvis, her dancing and fishing partner, until his death in 2007. Thanks for all the sunset cruises, Euchre tournaments, Bananagrams, lunch dates and fellowship.
Donna is survived by her four loving daughters, Julie (Chuck) Gilchrist, Lori (Michael) Crooks, Dawn (Dean) Welt, and Jennifer England; six loving grandchildren, Troy and Alex Gilchrist, Stephany and Robert Crooks, and Wesley and Christopher Welt. Also survived by James England, her former husband and father of their daughters; eight Nieces and Nephews, Kay, David and Susan Stremler, Debbie, Diana, David, Robert and Barbara Wahl. She is preceded in death by her parents David and Alma Wahl, her late husband Dr. Lamar Hankamp, brother Alton Wahl, sister Thelma Stremler and her nieces, Dorothy Wahl and Ann Bingham.
A memorial service will take place on Saturday, December 23, 2017 at St. Paul United Church of Christ at 1:00 P.M. with a graveside service to follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Saline. Family will receive friends at the church starting at 11:30 A.M. until the time of service at 1:00 P.M. In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul UCC or Arbor Hospice Residence in Saline and envelopes will be available at the church. To sign Donna’s guestbook, to leave a memory, or for more information or directions please visit www.rbfhsaline.com.
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