Donna Scott

Donna Mary (Shakal) Scott died peacefully in her home in Kalamazoo, Michigan on March 7th, 2025, ending her five year battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. She was born on July 11, 1971, in Stanley, WI to Richard and Joanne (Gutowski) Shakal. The youngest of five children, Donna was the valedictorian of her high school class in 1989 and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Math from the University of Wisconsin - Stout.

Donna would go on to work at several companies as a computer programmer until after the birth of her first child, after which she chose to not return to this profession. Several years later, she would work in the schools both as a classroom aid and in the cafeteria.

While at UW-Stout, Donna met her future husband, Jeffery L. Scott, while both were working at IBM in Rochester, Minnesota as co-op students in 1991. Donna and Jeffery were married on September 14, 1996. They enjoyed traveling and playing volleyball together, and in 2004 Donna gave birth to their first child, Maxwell. Three years later Donna would give birth to their daughter, Isabel.

Donna took up distance running a few years after Isabel was born. She completed a marathon; many half marathons; a sprint triathlon; a 200-mile Ragnar relay with her sister, Theresa, and cousins; and even convinced her husband to do a duathlon with her.

Donna was a devoted wife and mother, and along with her family, was a faithful attender of Berean Baptist Church in Portage, Michigan. Donna worked hard to raise her children and was privileged to be able to help Isabel understand how to trust in Christ. Donna and her family continued to enjoy traveling and spending time together even as her disease progressed.

Donna is survived by her husband, Jeffery Scott, of 28 years; her two children, Maxwell and Isabel; her mother, Joanne Shakal, of Stanley, WI; three of her siblings, Theresa (James) Backlund of Excelsior, MN, Daniel (Julie) Shakal of Withe, WI, and Roger (Kimberly) Shakal of Chippewa Falls, WI. She was proceeded in death by her father, Richard Shakal, and her sister, Barbara Pelant.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 Saturday, May 3rd at Berean Baptist Church in Portage, Michigan, with visitation at 10:00 am prior to service.