Photo caption: Carleen (center) and Dan Vande Zande (right) of Waupun recently presented a $75,000 donation in memory of Donna Vande Zande to the Women’s Health Fund at SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital to Kim Laws, Agnesian HealthCare Foundation director of development and interim leader.
The Agnesian HealthCare Foundation has received a $75,000 donation in memory of Donna Vande Zande, a 94-year-old Waupun resident and former SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital Auxiliary member who passed away in December 2023. The donation, presented on behalf of the family by Dan and Carleen Vande Zande of Waupun, will benefit the SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital’s Women’s Health Fund under the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation. “We are extremely grateful that Donna’s family thought of Waupun Memorial Hospital and the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation as they were reviewing giving options,” according to Kim Laws, Agnesian HealthCare Foundation director of development and interim leader. “We are blessed to serve in a community that so strongly believes in its local hospital, and understands that by providing their financial support, we can work together to grow our services and meet the health and wellness needs of those individuals and families we serve now, and well into the future.” SSM Health understands the life and health changes that are associated with being a woman. “No matter what stage of life a woman is in – if they’re looking to start a family or seeking general care – we provide comprehensive health care to help you make the most informed decisions,” according to DeAnn Thurmer, SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital president. “We truly appreciate what legacy Donna created during her time with us, and we are grateful that this generous gift will help us continue to grow our women’s health services right here in Waupun.” Donna’s encounters with Waupun Memorial Hospital were numerous, according to loved ones. “My mom was a joyful, giving and very generous woman,” according to her son, Dan. “She gave birth to all five of her children at Waupun Memorial Hospital, served with the hospital Auxiliary for more than 50 years, and benefited from outstanding hospice care for seven weeks.” Donna was also diagnosed and successfully treated for breast cancer through Women’s Imaging services in Waupun many years ago. “It was incredible to her to be able to receive that level of care in her small community and it was very important to her that it continues to be available to women in her community,” Dan adds. “This is why she wanted to support Women’s Health.” The Agnesian HealthCare Foundation, a charitable tax-exempt organization, exists to accept, acknowledge and invest charitable gifts, grants and bequests to help meet the many health care needs of the people and communities served by SSM Health in the greater Fond du Lac area. To donate, visit agn-foundation@ssmhealth.com
