Donna Mae Taelman

Donna Mae Taelman, age 92, passed away on March 10 at her home in North Woods Village at Edison Lakes, surrounded by her children.

Born on April 7, 1933, in Rochester, Indiana, to Harry and Margaret (Reed) Klopfenstein, Donna graduated from South Bend Central High School. In 1955 she married Ralph “Bud” Taelman. Two years later the couple purchased Taelman’s Grocery on South Bend’s west side, where they worked side by side seven days a week to serve the Ardmore neighborhood for nearly twenty years. They later retired to their longtime dream home on Eagle Lake in Edwardsburg.

Donna is survived by her children, Mark (Judy) Taelman and Pam (Doug) Marsh; five grandchildren, Christopher (Anne) Taelman, Michael Taelman, Kaitlin (Mason) O’Neal, Adam (Colleen) Marsh, and Alex (Mariah) Marsh; and two great-grandchildren, Sara and Ethan Taelman. She also lovingly helped raise Michael Galvas of South Bend. She was preceded in death by her husband Bud in 1997, her parents, and her sister JoAnn Fowler. She is also survived by her sister Carol Kay Weber of Edwardsburg, Michigan, and sister-in-law Sylvia Taelman of South Bend.

Passionate, energetic, and deeply committed to those she loved, Donna cherished her family and took great joy in planning and hosting holiday gatherings and special events. After Bud’s passing she became a dedicated volunteer at Eagle Lake Elementary School, Hope United Methodist Church, and the Milton Home in South Bend, and she participated in two church mission trips to underserved communities. Her family will remember her generous spirit and the warmth she brought to every life she touched.