Donna Jean (née Wenger) Breeden, 87, passed away peacefully September 14, 2024, in Crystal River, Florida. She was born to William and Doris (Tedrow) Wenger April 25, 1937, in South Bend, Indiana. Donna led a dynamic life filled with love, determination, and dedication to her family. She managed restaurants at both the Hilton Inn and Weber’s Inn in Ann Arbor, Michigan, later earning her real estate license and owning a check-cashing business in Lansing, Michigan. Her curiosity and appreciation for history and beautiful objects led her to regularly attend auctions—an interest that eventually inspired her to open an antique booth in Antique Village, located next to the Ann Arbor Farmers Market. That space became a reflection of her eye for unique finds and her love for storytelling through the objects she collected.
In her early years, Donna was a proud member of her high school debate team, where she developed a gift for thoughtful, eloquent speech. That skill never left her—she was known for engaging in spirited and intelligent conversations about the important issues of her time, bringing both insight and conviction to every discussion.
Donna first married Rudolph Cender, with whom she raised their children. After their divorce, she later married Verne Breeden, her second husband, and they remained devoted to one another until his passing. Following Verne’s death, Donna and Rudolph rekindled their bond and remarried, bringing their story full circle.
Donna lived her life with passion and conviction. She loved attending her children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events, often heard cheering loudly from the sidelines—famously yelling, “Kill Ian, kill!” at games. A woman of many talents, Donna had a deep love for cooking and was known for hosting unforgettable dinner parties during the 1970s and 80s. As Verne once joked, “Enjoy the meal because it won’t be the same again,” a nod to Donna’s habit of changing her recipes every time. She also had a lifelong love of music, with a particular passion for opera, which filled her home and heart with beauty and emotion.
A devoted Catholic and lifelong Republican, Donna’s strength, wit, and warmth left a lasting impression on everyone she met. Her legacy of perseverance and love lives on in her family. Friends and family will remember Donna not only for her tenacity and spirit but also for the unmistakable sign you were in trouble—when she called you by your last name.
Donna is survived by one daughter, Kirstin M. Cender; two sons, Rudolph W. Cender, Christopher I. (Kari) Cender; two granddaughters, Kaitlin B. Cender, Anna J. (Enoch Erbert) Cender; five grandsons, Peter R. Cender, Juan (Dina) Martinez, Alexandra L. Cender, Zackary I. (Shyla) Cender, Isaiah C. Cender; eight great-grandchildren, Katarina, Anastasia, Natalie, Iva Rose, Christopher, Adalyn, Remington, Jackson; and a loved sibling by marriage to Wendy L. Terranella and Darcy J. Potthoff.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents; her second husband; two daughters, Natasha A. Cender, Claire E. Cender; and one son, Phillip C. Cender, for whom she was a tireless advocate, persistently challenging early diagnoses and advocating for his full potential.
Family and friends will gather Friday, April 25, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. in Wagner Family Funerals Connelly Chapel, 202 North Broadway Street, Cassopolis, Michigan, until we process to Prospect Hill Cemetery for a 10:00 a.m. graveside service.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagner Family Funerals Connelly Chapel, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com
Posted On: Thursday, April 17, 2025 4:07 PM
