Donna Leisen Obituary

With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Donna Lee Leisen of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina on July 29, 2025 at the age of 94. She was born on October 14, 1930 in Chicago. Donna was preceded in death by her husband, childhood sweetheart and the love of her life, Robert (Rob) Leisen. The Leisens were married on June 20, 1953 and had 59 wonderful married years together. Donna was also preceded in death by her son, Gary. Donna is survived and missed by her children, Debra, Robert (Linda), and Dawn (Mike), her grandchildren, Jaimee, Jeremy, Jason, Kassidy, Courtney, Hannah and Rebecca and her nine great-grandchildren. Donna and Rob left the Chicago area where they met and grew up and moved north in the 1970s to Cable, Wisconsin. There, they owned and operated White Pine Lodge on Lake Owen for 15 years. They retired to South Carolina where the two of them built a beautiful home in Mullins, working as a team to do all of the construction themselves. Donna loved watching movies (exciting ones!), NFL football games (exciting ones!), and going to the beach to watch the waves. She was a life-long learner and always found so many things interesting. She especially enjoyed learning everything about sharks and was fascinated by them. She baked cakes that were favorites of her grandchildren and she was known to bring several of them to family get-togethers much to the kids' delight. Her beverage of choice was a cup of coffee, but it had to be hot, strong and black for it to be good. She had a big, beautiful smile. Her family would like to express their thanks to her neighbors in Murrells Inlet, the caregivers at Tidelands Hospice, and the caregivers at Agape Low Country Community Hospice House. Her family will have a private gathering to celebrate Donna's life.