Obituaries

Donna Jean Fiebelkorn, passed away on August 2, 2024 at the age of 70. The daughter of the late Lt. Col. John and Tena (Baas) Fiebelkorn, Donna was born in 1953 in Bossier City, LA. She is survived by her daughter Liana Kapan of Grand Rapids; and also her siblings Diana Harris (CA), Amy Warfield (MA) and Karl Fiebelkorn (AZ).

Following her graduation from Michigan State University, Donna began teaching in Maryland but soon embarked on a life’s passion of service with the Peace Corps. After volunteering in Nepal, her service transitioned from recruiting volunteers, through various leadership roles in Sri Lanka, the eastern Caribbean, Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine. Donna once said, "The Peace Corps is woven into who I am…It's in me ... it's the thread of my life." She also called it “the toughest job you’ll ever love”.

During her seven years in Nepal, a place she lovingly called “Shangri-la”, she “gave life” to her daughter, Liana Kalsang Dolkar Fiebelkorn Kaplan. Liana was the love of her life and a constant companion.

Returning stateside in 1991, they returned to Vermont where Donna completed her Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction and Doctorate in Education Administration at the University of Vermont (UVM). There she served as a faculty member administering the university’s secondary education programs. She later was appointed as the Dean of Education and Human Service at Baker College in Muskegon. Following that, Donna moved to Lake Superior State University (LSSU) in 2011, to work with the teacher education program. There she retired as Dean of the College of Education and Liberal Arts.

Retired is a bit of a misnomer. Donna’s passion for and commitment to education continued as she carried on working with the Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District and the State of Michigan Department of Education.

Donna, being the furthest thing from a “boat or water person,” was especially proud of the work she was able to contribute to the continued growth of the Great Lakes Boat Building School. It was here that she found a second family amongst her highly esteemed colleagues.

In retirement she did have time to root for Michigan State athletics, especially MSU Women’s Basketball and following her favorite television program “Young Sheldon”.

Donna was a breath of fresh air in this world. Her curiosity of the world has left an imprint that spans not only states but across the globe. Before joining the Peace Corps she once said "I wanted to know what the world was all about...There's more to the world than just the U.S.” We believe she was successful at that and more.

“Wherever you have friends that’s your country, and wherever you receive love, that’s your home.”― Dalai Lama XIV,

There will be a family burial at Evergreen Cemetery in Lake Orion, a Celebration of Life to be scheduled this fall.

In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to AYA Youth Collective, 320 State St SE - Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (ayayouthcollective.org) or Grand Rapids Pit Bull Alliance, Paypal @grpbafeedingpets.
Anyone wishing to honor Donna's enjoyment of "pushing the envelope,” is asked to email a brief statement to the Grand Rapids Fire Department Assistant Chief Borreson (kboresso@grand-rapids.mi.us) requesting the GRFD leadership acknowledge the current mental health crisis amongst first responders and to establish services that will effectively and equitably provide support for the mental well-being of those individuals who have, and continue to, respond to the daily call to duty. Approximately 100 firefighters die each year by suicide. This is equal to approximately 100 firefighters that die each year in the line of duty.
As Submitted By Family