Donna Knudson Mcpherson

Urbana- Donna F. Knudson McPherson 100, of Urbana, left this life at 4:58 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013, at her residence at The Clark-Lindsey Village with loving family by her side. A Celebration of Donna's Life Memorial Service will be held at The Clark-Lindsey Village Huegy Lounge, 101 W. Windsor in Urbana on Saturday, January 19th at 1:00 p.m. Burial will take place at a later date in Rienzi Cemetery , Fond du Lac, WI. Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center 710 N. Neil St. in Champaign is handling arrangements. Please join Donna's family in sharing memories and photos on her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com. Donna was born March 26, 1912 in Fond du Lac, WI. She was the daughter of Gustov and Edith Lipp Finger. They preceded her in death. Donna grew up in Fond du Lac, WI in a family of four girls. She received her Bachelor's Degree graduating Phi Beta Kappa from Northwestern University and a Master's Degree from the University of Wisconsin. After teaching English at Sheboygan High School she obtained a Graduate Degree in Library Sciences at Columbia University in New York. In 1944, Donna came to the University of Illinois to be the librarian in the School of Library Science. Her next positions were as head librarian at the Kansas City, MO Public Library and head of General Reference Department at the Encoh Pratt Library in Baltimore. In 1960, Donna married Charles Knudson, the head of the French Department at the University of Illinois. Charles preceded Donna in death in 1976. Nine years later in 1985, Donna married William McPherson who was a long time faculty member of the Institute of Labor and Industrial Relations in Champaign. This union brought with it 3 step-daughters, 6 step-grandchildren, and 7 step-great grandchildren. During her life Donna remained extremely close to her Niece Karin (John) Randolph of Minocqua, WI and her 2 nephews; Jim (Cathy) Wank of Shelby Township, MI and Bob ( Sabina ) Wank of Huntsville, AL; along with 8 grand nieces and nephews, and 10 great grand nieces and nephews. Besides her parents and husbands, Donna was also preceded in death by her sisters; Wava Candlish, Verna Torgerson, Dorothy Wank; and a step-daughter. Donna was known by her family to be gracious, friendly, and intellectual. She enjoyed reading, music, sports, and politics. She was a member of Alpha Chi Omega, The American Library Association, and the Friends of the Urbana Free Library where she served as president at one time. She was also a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church and the Women's Club UIUC. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Donna's memory may be made to Clark-Lindsey Legacy Fund or the Urbana Free Library.