Donna Mae Nolop

Donna Mae (Friet) Nolop, 87, of La Crescent, MN passed away peacefully surrounded by the love and support of her family at Mayo Clinic Health System on Tuesday, July 13, 2021.

Donna was born in La Crosse, WI on April 28, 1934 to Raymond and Theresa Friet. In her younger years, she enjoyed growing up on the family farm in Middle Ridge, WI with her brother Richard. She was a 1952 graduate of Cashton High School and was Miss Cashton 1952. She married Richard Nolop on June 30, 1962 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church of La Crosse. Together Rich and Donna raised their three children Troy, Kathy, and Mark in La Crosse, WI.

Donna was an active member of the Blessed Sacrament Parish, Church of the Crucifixion, and Catholic Daughters of America. During this time, Donna worked at Franciscan Health in the Accounting Department for 32 years. She also assisted her husband with his residential development and construction business. Later she supported her sons in their business ventures including renting movies at Corky’s Video for 20 years. Retirement wasn’t for Donna; she continued to volunteer with Catholic Daughters of America and other organizations. She also worked at the La Crescent Kwik Trip in the mornings greeting guests and serving samples until 2020.

Donna and Rich enjoyed traveling to their home in Florida with their family and friends. Donna also continued this tradition with her children and grandchildren as often as she could. Donna and Rich also took numerous trips with their friends Tom and Gloria Hundt throughout the United States and Europe.

Donna always welcomed her grandchildren with open arms and fresh baked cookies. All of her children and grandchildren had a homemade birthday cake every year, and a special gift bag for each grandchild at Christmas. Christmas was her favorite holiday. She enjoyed watching her grandchildren’s activities, never missing a game or competition, she was always their biggest fan. She enjoyed taking care of her grandchildren, helping them with anything they needed and always reminded them to wear a hat and to not go outside with a wet head or they would catch a cold.

Donna’s deep faith in God helped her face and accept many challenges in life, she prayed the Rosary daily. We are grateful to God for blessing us with her presence for 87 years. She was a loving and devoted wife, wonderful mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She cherished her family and friends and loved spending time with them, especially at the holidays.

Donna is survived by her three children, Troy Nolop, Kathy (Tim) Moore, and Mark Nolop, her 6 grandchildren, Kelsey (Dennis) Sen, Jaden Moore, Bryce Nolop, Bria Nolop, Camdan Nolop, and Dane Smith, and her great grandson, Parker Sen. Her spirit will live on in her 6 grandchildren and great grandson. Donna is also survived by her brother Richard Friet, sister-in-law Mary Nolop, Dena Sen, many nieces and nephews, and her cat Oreo.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents Raymond and Theresa Friet, husband Richard, sister-in-law Sharon Friet, and brother-in-law Gene Nolop.

A private family service for Donna will be held in the St. Francis of Assis Mausoleum in the Catholic Cemetery, La Crosse, WI. A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, July 21 ^st from 4-7pm at the La Crescent Area Event Center, 595 Veterans Parkway. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be donated in Donna’s memory.