Donna J. Clarizio

Donna June was born on March 4, 1936, in Minneapolis, MN, to Donald and June Ekdahl.  She passed away peacefully at the home she loved surrounded by family and friends on January 2, 2020, at age 83.

She is survived by her husband, Harvey Clarizio; her sister, Gail Dietrich (Larry); her brother, Daniel (Sally) Ekdahl; her children, Michael (Lisa) Clarizio, Suzanne (Gerald) Ferguson, Mark (Tracy) Clarizio and Julie (Craig) Clarizio/Johnson; her 11 grandchildren, Keith, Gina, Rose (William), Tessa, Anna, Cara, Lidia, Ava, Jace, Mia, and Rocco; along with beloved nieces.

Donna graduated from Roosevelt High School.  She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Hamline University in Minnesota in 1958.  Donna was a natural leader,  her accomplishments have been many ranging from a head nurse at Children’s Memorial Hospital In Chicago, developing a contagion unit at Santa Rosa Hospital in San Antonio, to being a representative on the East Lansing Housing Commission, serving as president of the Mid-Michigan Landlord Association, and as being a board member at her condo association in Florida.

Her greatest joys in life were her family and friends. She celebrated 60 years of marriage to her husband Harvey in August.  She established a tradition of taking her grandchildren on a world trip when they turned 12 creating memories that they will cherish forever. The abundance of love she exuded poured on to the countless “extended” family she acquired through the years.  Donna was famous for her Italian cooking and she was a loyal Spartan fan.

The funeral will be held on Wednesday, January 8, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. at Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 549 E. Mt. Hope Ave., Lansing.  Visitation will be held one hour prior at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Diabetes Association or a charity of your choice.

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21 Messages to “Donna J. Clarizio

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Sue Kiley White
January 4, 2020 at 10:33 am

Our condolences to the entire Clarizio family. We remember Donna (and Harvey) as very kind and welcoming people. God Bless you all during this very sad time.
Brandon and Sue (Kiley) White

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Marilyn and Rick Whitford
January 4, 2020 at 11:20 am

Mike, Lisa and family – so sorry for your Mother’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

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Gayla Phillips
January 4, 2020 at 12:09 pm

May God’s peace be with you.

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Toni Diaz
January 4, 2020 at 12:20 pm

So sorry for your loss Donna was a beautiful lady inside and out she helped my family she will be greatly missed by all who loved her my condolences to all her family.

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Cindy
January 4, 2020 at 12:46 pm

Mark, So sorry to hear about your Mom. Condolences to the whole family.

Cindy and Aunt Marie

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Joseph Dionise
January 4, 2020 at 2:46 pm

To the Clarizio’s family, so sorry to hear about the passing of Donna. My parent’s had a building on Hosmer street in Lansing across from their apartment complex. Donna was always outgoing and a very caring person. God Bless

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marc d. adams
January 4, 2020 at 3:15 pm

My condolences to the Clarizio and Ekdahl Families

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Gail Dietrich
January 5, 2020 at 7:04 pm

Thank you Marc. She was a great woman & the BEST sister

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Deborah Rivas
January 4, 2020 at 6:18 pm

Donna was one of the most loving and kind hearted people I’ve ever known. Growing up she was like a second mom and always treated me and my family as if we were a part of hers. I will forever hold all of the precious memories I have of her close to my heart! Praying the Lord will wrap the family in love and the beautiful spirit Donna carried with her always. Her passing is felt by us all!
Love and prayers
Debi

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Roy Horton
January 4, 2020 at 8:38 pm

My condolences to all families.

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Mike Daly
January 5, 2020 at 7:43 am

Mark, my deepest sympathies to you and your family for the loss of your mother.

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Brigette (Cardwell) Johnson
January 5, 2020 at 9:59 am

Mark,
My sincere condolences to you and your entire family.
Keeping you in our prayers.

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Michael Klein
January 5, 2020 at 12:08 pm

My deepest sympathy goes out to the entire Clarizio family. I also want to pass along my condolences to those who I know were considered extended family as well. There are so many I cannot possibly name them all. I want to say that Donna Clarizio was a mother to all of us and shared not just her love, but she gave us her heart and soul every time we walked through the door.

I spent so many days in the Clarizio home (and their pool) that it shaped me as an adult. To this day one of the reasons we open our home to our children’s friends so often is that I remember as a kid all the memories from the Clarizio home. Playing D&D until all hours of the night with Mark and Mike Clarizio, Derek and sometimes others is something I will never forget. Playing and swimming in the pool almost every day every summer (even when Mark was gone) makes me smile still today.

At the heart of all this was Donna (and Harvey) Clarizio!

Donna you have warmed the hearts of so many people, and truly changed the lives of everyone you have touched in a positive way. I will always remember you and be grateful for making a place in your heart and home for me.

All My Love Michael Klein

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Anita Rositas
January 5, 2020 at 3:22 pm

Mike, Lisa and the whole Clarizio family, my sympathy and prayers to you all. Donna was a loving and caring person I will always cherish. I was so fortunate to get to meet and know what a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother she was. I loved coming to the Clarizio’s family home to cook and how much she enjoyed it. Bless you all, prayers for comfort and peace.

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Kelly Pida
January 5, 2020 at 7:22 pm

To the Clarizio’s family…may the Lord wrap you all in his arms of LOVE and COMFORT at this time of your loss. You all are in our thoughts and prayers, God be with you.

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Trish Torres-Thomas
January 5, 2020 at 11:05 pm

I’m beyond heartbroken. Donna was truly my second mother. I spent most of my middles school and teen years as a “Clarizio”! She made those years happy and memorable. Always making us laugh, putting up with us taking over the house and never forgetting to always have blueberry Bismarck donuts on the table every Sunday morning! This was after a weekend of carting us around from the mall to our basketball games. And I will never forget all the long road trips to Florida and Donnas laugh and smile when watching all of the kids be kids! You will be so missed Donna and I will NEVER forget how special you always made me feel and the wonderful childhood memories you gave me. All my love to Harvey, Julie, Mark, Suzzie and Mike. You are all in my prayers. Trish.

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Amy Pruitt
January 6, 2020 at 12:55 pm

Mark,
Our thoughts prayers are extended to your family during this time.

Rodney & Amy Pruitt

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Mary F Rowlands
January 6, 2020 at 2:29 pm

Our condolences to Gail and the entire family. Donna was a joy. So glad to have known her.
Carl and Mary Rowlands

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Carl Rowlands
January 6, 2020 at 2:34 pm

So sorry for your loss. Donna was a great lady.

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Mariann Adams
January 6, 2020 at 8:02 pm

Dear Harvey,Mike,Susie,Marco,Julie,Gail,Danny I’m so Sorry for your loss of Donna.She was a wonderful person.All the memories of her are good ones.Fun summers with you all at the lake and family holidays. I will always remember her laughter and smile.You are all in my thoughts and prayers.Love Mariann Adams

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Linda johnson
January 24, 2020 at 7:42 am

Dear Harvey, Gail and family,
When ever I was in Florida visiting Gail Donna always treated me like family. Loved sitting in the sunroom facing the gulf. Going out to dinner was usually Italian. All the fun times at the condo, but didn’t we have a ball At Gail’s wedding? Donna and Harvey hosted the dinner party the night before and we all made special memories. Donna always will be remembered as a dear wife. sister, mother, grandmother and friend. I always looked forward to seeing her and Harvey when I visited Gail and Larry. My husband passed away on January 12. I hope they are having cocktails in raven and enjoying the ocean. Hugs and love Linda Johnson
Moorhead, Minnesota

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