×

Dona Marie (Chevrette) (Weiland) LaPorte

ESCANABA, Mich. — Dona Marie (Chevrette) (Weiland) LaPorte, 88, of Escanaba, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, June 20, 2020 after a five year battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family and extensive doll collection.

Dona was born on Jan. 31, 1932, in Negaunee, Mich., the daughter of Leonard and Dorothy (McCombie) Chevrette. She graduated from Negaunee High School in 1949 and then attended beauty school.

Dona raised four daughters during which time she began her life long love of art and collecting — dolls, bears, toys, trains, stamps, coins, etc. She was a Girl Scout leader for many years sharing her love of drawing, sewing and crafts. She and her daughter Jude crafted dolls and taught doll making classes. She was always happy to give tours of her dolls to various groups of people in the community. Dona owned “Just Ask Gust Asp” for eight years after which she bought “Jim’s Dari-Kreme.” She has been a daily part of the Dari for 41 years.

In the late 1970s, Dona helped develop OSF Bay de Noc Hospice and was a dedicated volunteer for 40 years. She was also a volunteer in the OSF Hospital gift shop. She was on the board of the Delta Drop In Center, AA member, a Jaycette and on various other community boards. She was also a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church where she greatly enjoyed going to bingo every week with her daughters. Dona was a very loving active member of the community that will be missed by many.

Dona is survived by: four daughters:, Laurel (Ron) Towns of Green Bay, Wis., Diane Weiland of Escanaba, Mich., Jude (Bill) St. Vincent of Escanaba, Mich., Janis (Bruce) St. Vincent of Escanaba, Mich.; one sister-in-law, Esther Kivisto of Marquette, Mich.; six grandchildren, Brian (Jennifer) Towns, Bethany (David) Martens, Amanda (Jeff) Marks, Nathan (Tiffany) St. Vincent, Amber (Krystal) St. Vincent, and Austin (Ciara) St. Vincent; 19 great-grandchildren, Bayne, Quillon, Griffon, D’Artagnan, Kain, Gage, Aubriel, Brody, Ozzye, EilaEver, Ledger, Sjofn, Jillian, Vincent, Brayden, Kaleb, Ryleigh, Evelyn Dona, and Larkyn; and several stepchildren, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Dona is preceded in death by: first husband, Louis Weiland; second husband, Robert LaPorte; two brothers, Peter and Wallace Chevrette; grandchild, Zachary St. Vincent.

Family will receive friends on Tuesday, June 30, from 3:30 until 6:30 p.m. at the Skradski Family Funeral Home in Escanaba. Funeral services will begin at 6:30 p.m. with Rev. Fr. Rick Courier officiating at the Skradski Family Funeral Home in Escanaba. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to OSF Hospice in memory of Dona LaPorte. The family of Dona would like to thank OSF Hospice for all their assistance. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the LaPorte family. Please visit www.skradskifuneralhomes.com where you can leave a message of condolence to the family.