Donna J. Budde

Donna Jean Budde, age 77 of Highland, IL, died Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Evercare at University in Edwardsville, IL. She was born on Tuesday, December 7, 1948, in St. Louis, MO, the daughter of Prosper and Doris (nee Irwin) Soucy. On Friday, August 29, 1969, she married Anthony Theodore Budde in St. Louis, Missouri, who survives. Donna was a 1966 graduate of Mercy High School in University City, MO. While at college, she met Tony, her future husband of 56 years. In 1969, she graduated from Jewish Hospital School of Nursing. Following her marriage, she was a nurse at Franklin Hospital in Benton, IL, for 9 years, and had 3 sons, Tony Jr., Chris, and Matt. They moved to Highland in 1979, where she was a nurse at St. Joseph's Hospital in Highland for 36 years, and had 2 more sons, Tom and Jon. She devoted her life to helping and caring for others, both for her family as a wife, mother, and grandmother, and for the community as a nurse for 46 years. She was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church. Donna enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She and her husband loved traveling to visit family all over the country and world. She also enjoyed cooking and gardening. Survivors include: Husband - Anthony Theodore Budde, Highland, IL; Sons - Anthony T. (Sara) Budde, Jr., Worden, IL, Col. Christopher M. (Cathy) Budde, USAF, Ret., Hampton, VA, Lt. Col. Matthew J. (April) Budde, USAF, Ret., League City, TX, Thomas E. (Ana Liza) Budde, Lompoc, CA, and Jonathan L. Budde, Highland, IL; Grandchildren - Cole Budde, Alexis Budde, Katelynn Budde, Jayden Budde, Hayden Hicks, Zaeyn Berg, Brad Porter, Allison Perez, Hannah Chen, Hayden Budde, Ace Budde, Caleb Collins, Nicholas Budde, Mason Budde, Yzabelle Budde, Gunnar Budde, and Cannon Budde; Great Grandchildren - Melanie Perez, Diego Perez, and Emi Chen; and Siblings - Linda Lehner, TN, Mary Ann (Terry) Merritt, MO, Prosper Louis (Lisa) Soucy, IL, Laura (Jeff) Kunin, MO, Theodore (Margo) Soucy, MO, Margaret (Robert) Watson, AZ, and Todd Soucy, MO. She was preceded in death by her parents - Prosper Louis Soucy and Doris M. Soucy (nee Irwin) and a sister - Doris Denise Soucy. Arrangements are being handled by Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL and from 9:00 AM to 10:15 AM on Monday, January 5, 2026, at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 AM on Monday, January 5, 2026, at St. Paul Catholic Church in Highland, IL. Interment will be at Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Highland, IL. Memorial contributions may be made to HSHS St. Joseph's Hospital.

Donna J. Budde

December 7, 1948 - December 13, 2025