Marlis I. Donner, 97, of Milan, passed away on February 28, 2025 at Davenport Lutheran Home.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, March 7, 2025 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Milan. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Thursday at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Milan. Burial will be in Chapel Grove Cemetery, Taylor Ridge. Memorials may be left in care of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Milan.

Marlis was born on June 14, 1927 in Paullina, Iowa, the oldest daughter of Emil and Irena (Schuknecht) Ebert. She married Vernon Donner in 1948 and they later divorced. Marlis worked at many restaurants over the years, including Town and Country in Rock Island, Denny's and Adolphs in Milan.

Marlis' hobbies included gardening, crocheting, sewing and bowling. She was a charter member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Milan, where she taught Sunday school and sang in the choir. She was also a member of Lutheran Women's Missionary League, where she served as Zone President.

Those left to cherish Marlis' memory include her children, Dennis (Karen) Donner, Michael Donner, Roger Donner, David (Pam) Donner, Jeanene (Rick) Rippel, Tim (Angela Carobene) Donner and Karlene (John) Campbell; sixteen grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren, with one more on the way; siblings, Vernon (Dorothy) Ebert and Bernell (Madelyn Meier) Ebert; and several nieces and nephews.

Marlis was preceded in death by her children, Marcia (Craig) Carter and Mark Donner; parents; and siblings, Leon Ebert, Marvin Ebert, Delores Means, Bernita Means and Orlan Ebert.

The family would like to thank Davenport Lutheran Home and St. Croix Hospice for their support and care of Marlis.