Donna Nelson
Donna Ellen Shaw Nelson passed into the loving hands of our Lord on Friday, March 14, 2025, at Ludington Woods, surrounded by her family. She was born on September 16, 1932, in Hart, the youngest of four children, to Milo Earl Shaw and Laura Fern Purdy. Donna spent her early years in Hart until her family relocated to Ludington in 1949.
A spirited motorcycle enthusiast, Donna loved recounting tales of riding big bikes in the early 1950s. She often laughed about her driving test, where the police officer opted to follow her in his patrol car rather than ride with her. On November 3, 1951, she married Richard Lee “Jughead” Petersen, and together they shared a passion for motorcycles, often hill climbing off Iris Road. They raised three children: David, Diane, and Daryl.
Donna later married Paul Goodwin Smith on Sweetest Day October 15, 1976, a union that lasted 29 years until his passing in 2006. Her third marriage was to Charles Richard Nelson on January 3, 2017, who preceded her in death on September 2, 2023.
Known throughout the Ludington community, Donna worked at Star Watch Case in the early 1950s, followed by Montgomery Wards, Grants, and the Little Red Shoe House. She was a dedicated volunteer, serving as a Den Mother and later at Memorial Medical Center, where she met her third husband, Charles Richard Nelson.
Raised in the Methodist church, Donna was a woman of deep faith. She was a member of United Methodist Church of Ludington, Cornerstone Baptist, Community Church, and attended various other churches in the Ludington area throughout her life.
In her own words, Donna wrote: “I was baptized in 1956 and gave my heart to God. I received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, trusting Him for the salvation of my soul. I became a child of God and received eternal life and many blessings and miracles.”
Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Fern Shaw; brothers, Richard and Robert Shaw; sister, Patricia Syer; and nephew, Ricky Deeds.
She is survived by her children, David (Sherri) Petersen, Diane (Russell) Sheren, and Daryl Petersen; grandchildren, Jennifer (Sam) Rice, Nathan (Nikki) Petersen, Andrew Petersen, Adam (Ashley) Sheren, and Joe (Katie) Sheren; great-grandchildren, Abby, Olivia, Mattie, Dziachan, Lawson Brantley Ayla Sheren, Oakley, Tate, Palmer Sheren and Genevieve “Eevee” Petersen; numerous nieces and nephews.
Donna’s vibrant spirit, love of adventure, and unwavering faith will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.
A celebration of her life will be held May 23, 2025 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington. She will be laid to rest at Lakeview Cemetery in Ludington. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the volunteer program at Corewell Health Ludington Hospital or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements were entrusted to Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington, www.OakGroveLudington.com.
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