Donna Kreps

Donna Mae Lehn Kreps, of Athens, TN, passed away peacefully in her home on December 27, 2024 at the age of 92.

Donna was born in Brandon, Minnesota on March 25, 1932 to Susan (Tamble) Lehn and John M. Lehn, a younger sister to Genevieve, Jim, Ione, Marge, Lloyd, and Bill, and older sister to Jo Ann. After high school, Donna began working for the phone company, which would take her to Miami, Florida. Eventually she began working for United Airlines, and traveled with her friends to all of the places she had always wanted to see, collecting stories and memories along the way. While working at United Airlines in San Diego, California, she met and married Roland Kreps in 1969. They moved to Denver, CO, and then to the suburbs of Chicago, IL, where both of their daughters were born and raised.

Donna did many different things once her daughters were born, including caring for other children while their parents worked, volunteering, and working retail. She was an incredible landscaper, crafter, and interior designer. She could make anything grow, including orchids and plumeria (her "babies"). Together Roland and Donna decided to retire to Tennessee, in part because it would allow Donna more time and space to plant and care for her flowers year-round. Their yard, filled with lush flowers and cheerful decorations, was incomparable in every season. Roland and Donna traveled together all around the world.

Our Mom was ahead of her time and smart as a whip, though she would scoff when we told her so. Mom was able to bring joy and beauty into and around our homes. Her humor kept up with our Dad's and they kept each other humble. She nurtured our love of reading, and she particularly enjoyed biographies and classic fiction. She taught her daughters to be independent and not to take any guff from anyone.

In her final years, Donna was lovingly cared for by her husband Roland, until his passing earlier this month, and then by her daughter Michele.

Donna is survived by her daughters Michele (Micheal) Morris and Jennifer (John) Frisch, and her grandson Jack Frisch.

According to Donna's final wishes, a private memorial service with family will be arranged at a later date.