Donna Jean Plichta's Obituary
Donna Jean Plichta, 91, beloved wife, mother, daughter, grandmother, and great-grandmother, went to her eternal home on April 29, 2025, surrounded by family.
Donna was born on May 29, 1933, in Muskegon, Michigan, to Timothy and Olga (Otwinowsky) Slobodin -immigrants from the USSR. At the age of two, she went to live with Charles F. and Judith Eleanor (Beckeman) Goldsmith, becoming Donna Jean Goldsmith and was the apple of their eye.
Donna started professional ballet lessons at the age of nine, performing with various dance troupes for 10 years. In addition to ballet, she was an accomplished ice skater, accordion player, and artist. Donna’s abilities were not limited to the fine arts. She was also a gifted seamstress, upholsterer and painter. Her beautiful home is a testament to her many, many talents.
On December 31, 1972, Donna had her first date with the man who would become the love of her life, Kenneth A. Plichta. After a whirlwind romance, they were married on June 22, 1973. Together, they lived a beautiful life, filled with hard work, summer days and sugar sandwiches by the pool with grandkids, tropical vacations, and lots of laughter and love.
Donna worked in a variety of fields throughout her lifetime, starting with helping her father build houses. She worked in finance and law for many years as well, attending Baker College for several years to further her career. When she and Ken married, they opened a chain of markets that would take up much of their time for the next 10 years. After closing the businesses, Donna worked as a seamstress at Prince in Holland until her retirement at age 65. She spent many years of retirement entertaining grand and great-grandchildren, a job that kept her young beyond her years. Donna loved her babies! She loved her yard as well and spent countless hours tending her flower gardens, keeping the hand-stamped faux-brick driveway looking flawless, and spending time by the pool with grandkids. Although Donna never learned to swim herself, she taught many grandchildren how to swim so they could safely enjoy the deep end of the pool.
Donna leaves behind a large, loving family: Husband of 52 years, Kenneth Plichta; children from her first marriage to Dr. Richard E. Kozal, Richard C. (Kristi) Kozal and Carolyn R. (Craig) Hanson; step-daughter Stephanie (Michael) Barry; grandchildren Adam, Patrick, Andrea, Laura, Derek, Karolyn, Mark, Kenneth, Joshua and Daniel; and great-grandchildren Leeanna, Hannah, Caleb, Natalie, Caden, Alex, and Adeline. Donna was preceded in death by daughter Judy (Robert) Borchardt, stepdaughter Yvonne Kujawski, and grandsons Cory Harris and Stephen Sawden.
Thank you to sister-in-law Carla and friend Liz for their loving care and presence until her last breath.
Donna will be cremated, according to her wishes. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Arrangements through The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Service, 6291 Harvey St. Norton Shores, MI 49444. Please consider signing the family’s online guestbook and share memories at sytsemafh.com
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