Donna M. Gliniecki

        Donna Marie Gliniecki (Karas), age 63, of Parisville passed away after a brief battle with aggressive cancer on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, in home hospice care surrounded by her loving family.

        She was born January 31, 1960, in Hamtramck, MI, to Stephen Sigismundis and Dolores Helen (Frydlewicz) Karas. Donna graduated from St. Florian High School in 1979. She earned her Associate's degree in Business Administration/Computer Information from Jordan College with Suma Cum Laude honors as well as a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Baker College with Magna Cum Laude honors.

        Donna had a variety of administrative and accounting jobs over the years, most recently as Superintendent’s Secretary and Pupil Accounting Officer at Huron Intermediate School District and also for Farm Bureau Insurance in Harbor Beach, Kelly & Company Realty in Cass City, Biddinger & Bitzer PLLC in Cass City, and many more. She was proud of her position as Field Operations Supervisor for the U.S. Census Bureau, and she also served as a Substitute Teacher in Huron, Sanilac, and Tuscola Intermediate School Districts. She developed many strong, lasting friendships through her involvement with Amway. Donna volunteered as a Girl Scout leader and American Red Cross blood donor.

        Donna loved crafting and playing with her kids and grandkids. She had a passion for curating heartfelt and fitting song playlists for her loved ones. She enjoyed all holidays big and small, and celebrated with festive decorations and outfits. She enjoyed traveling, cruising, hot tubbing, deer hunting, and shopping (especially at Kohl’s) with her husband. She was nuts about squirrels.

        Donna is survived by her loving husband of 44 years, Gary; children, Candi (Paul) Vollweiler and Greg (Lauren) Gliniecki; grandchildren, Abby, Jacob, Lily, and Ben Gliniecki, Kira and Suri Vollweiler; sisters, Nancy (Jay) McLuckie, Debbie Radtke; nieces and nephews, Beth (Jason) Herb, Beckie (Eric Kieleszewski) McLuckie, Jim (Jenny) McLuckie, Charles (Ali) Karas, Chris Gliniecki, Kevin (Bri) Karas, Tom (Whitney) Gliniecki, Bryan (Melissa) Karas, Margaret (Eric) Stadig, and Audrey (Steven) Saliga; dogs, Rex and Pink.

        Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Stephen and Dolores Karas; granddaughters, Nyneve and Teela Vollweiler; sister, Pat Karas; brother; Mark (Cindy) Karas.

        Visitation will be held 3 - 8pm on Sunday, November 5, at Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly, MI, including guest tributes at 7pm. Hawaiian shirt attire is welcome and encouraged.

        The family will receive visitors from 10 - 10:45am on Monday, November 6, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Parisville, MI, followed by the funeral mass at 11am.

        Memorial donations to the Alzheimer's Association would be appreciated, as Donna often advocated for Alzheimer's awareness and research inspired by her experiences with her father, Stephen, and sister, Pat.