Donna Corey-Nelson

Donna Corey-Nelson, born Jan. 20, 1942, died peacefully in her sleep of natural causes April 2, 2024.

Born in Cleveland, Donna was a graduate of Albion College of Liberal Arts earning a bachelor's degree in English, and went on to Michigan State University and earned a Master’s of Fine Arts. She married Carl Corey in 1972 and they moved to Rhinelander in 1976 where she was a housewife and active in community projects. One of her favorites being the Children’s Arts program, through which she made many lifelong friends. She was pivotal in bringing SCUBA lessons to the Northwoods.

Donna became a YMCA and Padi-certified SCUBA instructor and taught classes at the Rhinelander High School pool for several years. Donna fell in love with the Florida manatees, and would make annual trips to Crystal River, Fla. to dive with them. She then combined her education and passion for the manatees to write and illustrated a children’s book, Manatee: A First Book. After her divorce from Carl, she moved to Crystal River to pursue her love of the ocean and did research on the Florida manatee. She started two non-profit organizations, the Sundiver Productions Company and the Starthrower Foundation, to support the protection of and educate the public about manatees. As part of this work, she collaborated with the Sirenia Project with the University of Florida on citizen science research during the 1990s. Later on, Donna returned to teaching and was an elementary school teacher for the Crystal River school district as well as the lead instructor for their Art Smart Vocational Program from 1994 to 2004. She moved back to Rhinelander in 2005 to be closer to family and married Alan Nelson in 2008. They had several years of travels and fun times before Alan passed away in 2021. She was an avid gardener that loved to chat with neighbors and earned the nickname ‘Mother Nature’ as more often than not she could be found tending to her ‘green children’. Donna moved to Milestone Assisted living in 2022 and enjoyed card games, crafts, and conversations with her neighbors and staff. She lived life to the fullest and was never lacking for a good story or witty comeback. She made sure to instill a love of nature, the arts, and adventure into her daughters. 

Survived by daughters, Jennie Corey-Hienrich, Cristi Corey-Luse (Dan Luse), granddaughter, Alexia Corey-Luse, two nephews, Chad and David Schenkelberger and their families, ex husband, Carl Corey (Becky Corey) extended family, Kris Larsen and his daughter, Anetta.  

Preceded in death by her husband, Alan Nelson, brother, Mark Schenkleberger, mother, Midge Sawdey, Father, Frank Schenkleberger and extended family member, Kirsten Larsen.  

Our family will be forever grateful for the compassionate care and love Mom received from the staff at Milestone Assisted Living, Rennes Health and Rehab Center, and Compassus Hospice Care. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Donna may be given to the Save the Manatee Club, 317 Wekiva Springs Road, Ste. 100, Longwood, Florida, 32779.  

The visitation for Donna will take place Monday, April 8, 2024, at the Hildebrand Funeral Home from 10 a.m. until the 1 p.m. Celebration of Life. 

Immediately following the Celebration of Life, a reception will be held in the banquet room of the Hildebrand Funeral Home. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hildebrand Funeral Home & Cremation Specialists, 24 E. Davenport Street, Rhinelander, Wisconsin, 54501, 715-365-4343. Everyone is invited to sign the guestbook or leave an online condolence at www.hildebrandrussfh.com.