Donna J. Bastien

Donna Jean (Irwin) Bastien, age 95, passed away on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. She was preceded in death by her loving husband and “soulmate”, Rodger; her parents, Arthur and Dorothy Irwin; her brothers, Jack and Bill Irwin; and her granddaughter, Sara Schoen. When Donna married Rodger on October 14, 1976, she had three children and he had six. Their nine surviving children are: Pamela (John) Kellogg, Diana St. Amant, Susan Kramer, Rodger (Jen) Bastien, Cheryl Johnston, Gary (Kathy) Bastien, Karen (Lisa Bancuk) Bastien, Janet (Tom) Bailey and Paul Bastien. These nine children blessed them with twenty-one grandchildren: John, III and Chad Kellogg, Amanda Kitchen, Jackie Kaschyk, Scott St. Amant, Kelsi Jenison, Sara Schoen, Tyler, Adam and Zachary Johnston, Katie White, Betsy Griffin, Carter, Brady and Steven Bastien, Sarah Fornaess, Nathan and Phoebe Bailey, Lauren Schwallier, and Trevor and Brenna Bastien. They have twenty-four great-grandchildren: Gabby, Jack and Ava Kellogg, Abigail and Alex Kaschyk, James and Mitchell Kitchen, Zoe and Natalie Jenison, Graysen, Beckett, Lennon, Alex and Finn Johnston, Cecilia and Julia White, Will and Jack Bastien, Claire and MaryBeth Griffin, Anika and Andreas Fornaess, Cleo Unger and Nolan Bastien. “Mama Donna”, as her “other girls” (Terri Nausieda, Barb Mester, Brenda Baird, Chris Johnson and Janet Thornbury) called her, was a kind and beautiful soul whose Catholic faith was very strong. She was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Grand Haven until her passing. She loved her faith, family and friends above all, but she had a passion for country music, sports, watching her birds in the courtyard, good food, and flowers. Her love of flowers led her to work for Smith Floral in Lansing and later, Molesta Floral in Wyoming, MI. She also worked at Rogers Department Store and Beverly’s Clothing Store in the 1970’s. Per her wishes, there will be no funeral. A private family interment will take place at Resurrection Cemetery when the spring flowers are blooming. There is a Celebration of Life planned for July 8 (her birthday) in the pavilion at Douglas Walker Park from 2-7 p.m. Her family, friends, and those who knew her are welcome to come and share a favorite memory of her. Rest in peace, Mama. Go Blue!

Tributes

Donna J. Bastien

July 8, 1930 - March 25, 2026