Donna B. Bichler of Greenfield, formerly of Belgium and New Berlin, passed away Monday evening, July 24, 2017, following a tragic motorcycle accident. She was 49 years old. Donna was born in Sheboygan on October 10, 1967, daughter of Charles Jr. "Skip" and Margaret "Peg" Bichler. She grew up on the family farm in Belgium and attended Northern Ozaukee High School where she excelled in Cross Country, Track and Basketball before graduating in 1986. "Donna B" was part of the 1986 Women's Basketball team that placed second at state, and held a Cross-Country record that wasn't broken at the school until this year. She always thought that the one of best parts of her high school athletics career was the fact that her family came to all of her races and events to support her and cheer her on.
Ms. Bichler was a production manager at Global Fasteners in Muskego where she had worked the last 18 years. She was a member of St. James's Catholic Church in Franklin, and had volunteered through the Interfaith Caregivers to help shovel in the winter for elderly neighbors. Donna loved running, pets and children. She was a proud PANK "Professional Aunt, No Children" and doted on her nieces and nephews. She also loved riding her beloved motorcycle, Stella, and the feel of the wind through her hair.
Donna was a diehard Green Bay Packer fan and shared a birthday with her favorite player, Brett Farve. Mysteriously, each year she would get a birthday phone call from "Brett" who sounded a lot like her mom. She loved the great outdoors:, camping, RV-ing, and taking special care of her yard and flowers.
Donna and Monica Skarban formalized their union in a ceremony on April 12, 2015. Since she met Monica, she had discovered the joys of travel, and had gone to places such as Sedona, Napa Valley and Hawaii. They had a trip planned with her sister Anne and brother-in-law Donny to Alaska to celebrate Donna's upcoming 50th birthday.
Above all, family meant the world to Donna, and she loved coming home to visit on the farm.
Survivors include her partner, Monica Skarban of Greenfield, parents Skip & Peg Bichler of Belgium, sisters Anne (Donny) Kultgen of Random Lake & Jane (Mike) Cynor of Belgium, brothers Robert (Martha) Bichler of Gibbsville and Tom (Kim) Bichler of Belgium, mother-in-law Delores Skarban of Franklin, brothers- and sisters-in-law Jay (Tammy) Skarban of Casco, WI, Roberta (Michael) Boyd of San Diego, CA and Jim Skarban of Nanakuli, HI. She is further survived by aunts June Williams of Brookfield, Mildred Prom and Barbara Bichler, both of Port Washington, uncles James (Elaine) Bahr of Bonduel, Richard (Lois) Bahr and Joseph Sanem, both of West Bend, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other family and numerous friends.
She is preceded in death by Father-in-law Robert Skarban, brother-in-law John Skarban, aunts, uncles, and her beloved cocker spaniels Peekaboo and Jojo.
The family will receive visitors at the Eernisse Funeral Home, 171 N. Royal Ave., Belgium, on Friday, August 4th from 3-6PM, with a Celebration of Life prayer service at 6PM. A reception will follow at Divine Savior/ Holy Cross Chapel (5332 Highway B, Belgium). A second visitation will take place on Saturday, August 5th at St. James Catholic Church, 7219 S. 27th St., in Franklin, from 9-11AM, followed by funeral services at 11AM. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall.
As per her wishes, Donna will continue to live on through her gift of organ & tissue donation. Memorials in her name are suggested to the Wisconsin Donor Network, or the charity of your choice.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the nurses and pastoral staff at Froedtert Hospital, and the pastoral staff at St. James Catholic Church for all the support they have provided through this difficult time.
Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com .