Annette Donker

Annette Donker, 61, of Copperas Cove, Texas, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on May 24, 2026, at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Temple, Texas, after a brief and courageous battle with cancer.

Born on August 15, 1964, at Freeport Memorial Hospital in Freeport, Illinois, to Melvin and Eldora Welch, Annette grew up in Red Oak, Illinois, and graduated from Orangeville High School in Orangeville, Illinois, Class of 1982. On January 8, 1983, she married the love of her life, Allen Donker, beginning a marriage rooted in devotion, resilience, and family that would span more than forty-three years.

Annette and her family have resided in Illinois, Virginia, Baumholder, Germany, Colorado, Tennessee, and finally settled in Copperas Cove, Texas, where they have lived since 1993.

As the wife of a Soldier, Annette was the steadfast foundation of her family while her husband served in the United States Army through deployments, training, and long stretches away from home. She carried the responsibilities of home and family with remarkable strength and determination, creating a household filled with warmth, acceptance, laughter, and unwavering love.

Annette was a bold and fierce woman with an enormous heart. To family, friends, and countless others, her home was a safe haven — a place where people gathered, found comfort, and never left hungry. Growing up, her sons’ friends knew her home was always open. A warm meal, honest advice, encouragement, or simply a place to belong could always be found there. Even as those friends grew into adults, Annette remained a constant presence in their lives, maintaining personal and professional relationships and offering support whenever it was needed.

Professionally, Annette dedicated her life to helping others. She worked in healthcare compliance and risk management, brought decades of experience as a legal assistant, and served as a trusted Texas Notary Public for more than 30 years. As owner of DonkBuilt Service Exchange, she provided bookkeeping, tax preparation, notary, and business support services to families and businesses throughout Central Texas.

She possessed a remarkable gift for networking, problem-solving, and connecting people. If she did not have the answer herself, she almost always knew who to call. Her relationships stretched across personal and professional circles, and she was known for her willingness to help others navigate life’s challenges.

A proud night owl, Annette spent countless hours researching genealogy and tracing family histories. She was passionate about helping reunite families, participating in groups dedicated to locating lost siblings and reconnecting brothers and sisters separated through adoption or circumstances at birth. This work reflected the compassion, persistence, and deep sense of connection that defined who she was.

Annette was a woman of faith who lived with conviction, compassion, and purpose, cherishing her family and finding her greatest joy in being a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. In a conversation with her sons before her passing, she shared that when God had her name in His book, she would be ready. If that time was now, she had made her peace; if not, she would live another day and continue to fight. Those words reflected the strength of her faith, the courage of her spirit, and the love she carried for her family.

Above all else, Annette’s greatest joy was her family.

Annette was preceded in death by sister-in-law Judy Welch.

She is survived by her loving husband, Allen Donker; her parents, Melvin and Eldora Welch; her sons, Cale Donker and Cord Donker; daughter-in-law Tasha Repasch; grandchildren Caleb, Daphne, and Aleighssa; and the anticipated arrival of a grandson due in September.

She is also survived by her siblings, Pam (Fred) Stampfli, Robert (Late Judy) Welch, Todd (Melody) Welch, and Tina (Terry) Beyer, along with numerous beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Annette will be deeply missed by her family, friends, colleagues, clients, extended community, and the many lives she touched through her fierce love, generous heart, unwavering support, and lifelong dedication to helping others.

Memorial services will be held in two locations to allow family and friends to gather and celebrate her life.

A local visitation will be held on June 4, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Copperas Cove, Texas. Flowers may be sent in advance.

A second memorial service will be held at Walker Mortuary & Cremation in Freeport, Illinois from 4:00-7:00 PM on June 16th. Funeral services will be held June 17th at 11:00 AM at Walker Mortuary. Interment will take place at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport.