Nellie C. Donsbach (92) of Effingham

Nellie C. Donsbach, 92 of Effingham, passed away Wednesday, November 24, 2021, at Willowbrook of Effingham.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 29, 2021, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Effingham with burial in St. Anthony Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday at Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham. Memorial donations may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association. Online condolences may be left by clicking here.

Nellie was born July 3, 1929, in Lillyville, the daughter of Louis and Emma (Westendorf) Willenborg. She married Bernard W. “Ben” Donsbach on September 4, 1948, and he preceded her in death in 2013. Nellie was a seamstress at IL Glove Factory for over 30 years. Later in life, Nellie enjoyed caring for the elderly at Brookstone Estates in Effingham. Most of all she loved her “Grand Mondays”; a day devoted to spending time with her beloved grandchildren. Nellie was a faithful member of Sacred Heart Church in Effingham.

Nellie is survived by her three sons, Dale (Kay) of Effingham, Jerry (Susan) of Teutopolis and Wayne (Carol) of Effingham; four daughters, Linda (Dennis) Pals of Mt. Zion, Janice (Paul) Semple of Effingham, Janet (Bill) Kocher of Effingham and Denise (Jeff) Gallagher of Mode; sister, Martha Bushue of Mason; 20 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; 20 step-great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren. 

Nellie was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Sharon; granddaughter, Stephanie; siblings, Virgil Willenborg, Rueben Willenborg, Pauline Holding, and Dorothy Verdeyen; infant siblings, Cletus and Louis Willenborg Jr.