Lonna Leah DeSantis, 56, of Cumberland, WI passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family, on May 10, 2023.

She was born February 3, 1967 in Cumberland, WI to John and Jeanne (Pierson) DeSantis.

Lonna grew up in the Cumberland area and graduated from Cumberland High School in 1985. Lonna held various positions throughout her career. She worked at Quanex for over 30 years, The Hammer (Skiddies) for almost a decade, and Kwik Trip. Through these positions, she gained life-long friendships. While these jobs kept Lonna busy, her greatest role in life was being a mom and grandma. Lonna filled her kids' summers with camping, tubing down the Namekagon River, and eating a hot pepper sandwich at the Rutabaga Festival every August. She was so proud watching her children, Nicole and Shane, become parents themselves. Lonna loved watching her grandchildren, Caleb, Carly, and Lydia grow—her favorite “grandma duty” was giving them snuggles!

Outside of family and work, Lonna kept busy using her quick wit playing card games. She enjoyed bingo, even if she was better at bringing luck to others. Loud screams and cheers filled her Sundays in the fall, as Lonna rooted on the Green Bay Packers. She loved watching the Packers beat the Vikings—and razzing her friends and family who supported the Vikings. Fortunately, Lonna saw the Packers take down the Vikings one last time at Lambeau Field this past January!

Lonna was a kind soul who would do anything for those she cared for. She brought joy to her family and friends with her animated stories. Throughout her fight with cancer, she was brave, stoic, and continued to put others' needs before hers. Everyone who knew her loved her deeply, and she was the best mom and grandma around. Lonna will be greatly missed by her friends and family.

Lonna is survived by her children: Nicole (David) Pruden of Isanti, MN, and Shane (Leah) DeSantis of Rosemount, MN; grandchildren: Caleb and Carly Pruden, and Lydia DeSantis; three brothers: Daniel DeSantis of Mabanks, TX, David DeSantis and Richard DeSantis, both of Cumberland; four sisters: Valerie (Jim) Bunker of Topeka, KS, Lynette Johnson of Clear Lake, MN, Marlene DeSantis of Haugen, WI, and Della (Paul) Schindler of Eau Claire, WI; many nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Jeanne DeSantis; father, John DeSantis; brother, Joseph DeSantis; sister, Pam DeSantis, an infant sister; and brother-in-law, Butch Johnson.

Funeral services will be held from 3-6 pm Saturday May 20, 2023, at Skinner Funeral Home in Cumberland. Family and friends are invited to The Hammer afterwards to celebrate in Lonna's memory. A private family burial will be held at St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery.

Skinner Funeral Home of Cumberland is serving the family.

Last Update: May 15, 2023 11:25 am CDT