Ishpeming, MI- Donna J. Besander, age 63, of Ishpeming, MI, passed away on Thursday, February 22, 2024, at UP Health System Marquette following a brief illness.

Donna was born in Ishpeming, Michigan on June 2, 1960, her family moved to Bergland when she was a young child and she graduated in 1978 from Bergland High School.

Donna was a licensed cosmetologist, she worked at the Beauty Boutique in Ishpeming for 24 years, working alongside her two sisters Sherry and Kelly. She continued working as a CNA at the Marquette County Medical Care Facility for over 20 years always providing excellent compassion and caring comfort for her residents. Her care for others continued as she babysat for her nephews. Donna always put care for others before her own.

Donna loved spending time at camp out at long lake, fishing, floating on the lake, enjoying watching kids play and partying with the cousins. She was an avid pool player, playing in the Ishpeming Pool League, and played cribbage in the Ishpeming Cribbage League for the Paradise Bar.

She was a wonderful organizer of family events and a die-hard Green Bay Packer fan.

Donna is survived by her husband Jimmie  Besander, whom she married on September 30, 2000, a sister Sherry Conradson, a brother John Hooper, brothers-in-law; Frank Richards and Martin Kleinschmidt, father-in-law Lowell Besander, a niece Terri (Jared) Axford, a nephew Joseph (Jaimie) Richards, great nephews; Wyatt Hollo, Colton Hollo, Eliot Axford, Owen Axford, Nathaniel Richards, and Alaric Richards, great nieces; Allie Richards, and Rory Richards, special cousins Mikey Jacobson along with numerous cousins, other family members including the entire Voecks family, and special family friend George Legessa.

Donna was preceded in death by her mother Helen (Champion) Wickstrom, sisters Kelly Richards, and Kim Kleinschmidt, a great nephew Jacob aka "Smiley Boy," and Daryl Voecks.

Donna's family will greet relatives and friends from 2:00 – 4:00 pm on Monday March 4, 2024, at the Bjork and Zhulkie Funeral Home with a memorial service to be held at 4:00 pm with Captain Rosemary Matson and Chief Connie Maki to officiate.

Donna's obituary may be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.