- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Wheaton Today
By the People, for the People
Donna Jean Van Ramshorst, Longtime Sturgeon Bay Resident, Passes Away at 65
Van Ramshorst was a beloved community member, EMS worker, and hospital chaplain.
Apr. 6, 2026 at 5:04pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The vibrant gardens and natural landscapes that Donna Jean Van Ramshorst cherished will forever be a part of her legacy in the Sturgeon Bay community.Wheaton TodayDonna Jean Van Ramshorst, a 65-year-old resident of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at her home on March 30, 2026. Van Ramshorst had a long career in community service, working as an EMS crew member on Washington Island and later as a chaplain at Bellin Hospital until her cancer diagnosis in 2025.
Why it matters
Van Ramshorst was a pillar of the Sturgeon Bay community, known for her dedication to public service, her faith, and her role as a loving grandmother. Her passing marks the end of an era for the close-knit Door County region.
The details
Van Ramshorst was born in Portland, Maine in 1960 and graduated from Glenbard High School in Illinois in 1978. She married James Allen Van Ramshorst in 1978 and the couple later moved to Wisconsin, where Donna worked on the EMS crew for Washington Island and as a CNA before going back to school to earn a master's degree in theology. She served as a Deacon and interim Pastor at Bayside Lutheran Church before becoming a chaplain at Bellin Hospital, a role she held until her cancer diagnosis in 2025.
- Donna Jean Van Ramshorst was born on October 19, 1960.
- She graduated from Glenbard High School in Illinois in 1978.
- Donna married James Allen Van Ramshorst on December 29, 1978.
- Donna was diagnosed with cancer in July 2025.
- Donna passed away peacefully at her home on March 30, 2026.
The players
Donna Jean Van Ramshorst
A 65-year-old resident of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin who dedicated her career to public service as an EMS worker, pastor, and hospital chaplain.
James Allen Van Ramshorst
Donna's husband of 47 years, who survives her.
Bayside Lutheran Church
The church where Donna served as a Deacon and interim Pastor.
Bellin Hospital
The hospital where Donna worked as a chaplain until her cancer diagnosis in 2025.
What’s next
A memorial service to honor Donna's life will be held on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 11 am at Huehns Funeral Home. Visitation for friends and family will be held at the funeral home from 10 to 11 am.
The takeaway
Donna Jean Van Ramshorst's passing marks the end of an era for the tight-knit Sturgeon Bay community, which has lost a beloved public servant, faith leader, and devoted grandmother. Her legacy of compassion and community service will continue to inspire those whose lives she touched.
