Donna Mae Makker

Donna Mae Makker (née Stohs), 89, passed away peacefully at her home in Davis, California, on March 17, 2026, following a stroke. Born on October 31, 1936, in Ludell, Kansas, she was the daughter of John and Lydia (Holtz) Stohs.

A woman of sharp intellect, creativity, and endless curiosity, Donna lived a life rich in thought, compassion, and discovery. She was educated at the University of Nebraska, where she earned both a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature—an academic pairing that reflected her wide-ranging interests and deep love of learning.

Donna’s professional journey took her to several renowned institutions, including the Cleveland Clinic, the University of Texas Health Science Center, the University of Michigan, and the University of Chicago. It was at the University of Chicago that she met the love of her life, Sudesh Makker, who would become her husband and devoted partner for decades.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Donna was known by all who loved her as creative, clever, giving, resourceful, inventive, kind, and deeply sweet. She was a loving and caring mother, a loyal attentive friend, and a warm generous neighbor. She possessed a keen intelligence and a gift for listening, offering her full presence and care to those around her. Her laugh and bright smile were unmistakable—warm, vibrant, and full of life.

Donna found joy in her family, in travel, in books, and in the creative projects she pursued with her sewing needle. An adventurer at heart, she loved to learn in all capacities, but especially by visiting places near and far. Even in her final year, she embraced life with remarkable spirit, traveling to France, attending a family wedding, and spending many cherished weeks with her children and granddaughter.

Donna is survived by her beloved husband, Sudesh Paul Makker; her children, James Makker and Kirin Makker; her brother, Sidney Stohs; her sister‑in‑law, Sherry Stohs; and her granddaughter, Ashleigh Paige Dolan. She was predeceased by her parents, John and Lydia Stohs, and her brothers, Wesley Stohs and Martin Stohs.

Her legacy endures in the curiosity she sparked, the love she gave so freely, and the countless ways she made the world brighter for those fortunate enough to know her.