Obituary of Donna L. Recktenwald

Dansville – Wayland – Donna L. Recktenwald, 91 years of age passed away Thursday morning September 4, 2025 at St. James Hospital in Hornell. Donna was born December 29, 1933 in Perkinsville, NY the daughter of the late Clyde R. and Pearl M. (Lander) Isaman. Donna grew up on Wolfanger Road in Wayland and graduated from Wayland Central School. Donna and Kenneth W. Recktenwald were married November 6, 1954 and together celebrated 41 years of marriage prior to Ken passing away November 21, 1995. Donna and Ken moved to Maple Street in Dansville once they were married and resided all their time together there. Donna continued to live there until recently when she moved in with her daughter on Wolfanger Rd where she was born. Donna worked for several different companies throughout the years including, F.A. Owen Publishing Company, Up-To-Date Cleaners, Kelly Brothers Nursery, Noyes Hospital and SUNY Geneseo. While at SUNY Geneseo she worked in the maintenance department and driving the Zamboni at the Ira S. Wilson Ice Arena at the campus in Geneseo. Throughout the years, Donna owned her own lawn mowing business taking care of many different lawns in the area. Donna was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Dansville and volunteered as a money counter and worked the weekly Bingo games. She was on the Board of Directors at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Perkinsville for many years and she maintained the grounds at the cemetery meticulously. Donna also volunteered for the Food Pantry of Dansville. Donna enjoyed gardening and canning (especially jams and pickles), spending time at the beach, was an avid sports fan that included her love for the Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres and SUNY Geneseo Knights. NASCAR was also a favorite of hers. She was well known for decorating the outside of her home on Maple St. in Dansville especially her window dressings. She loved to decorate her windows and home for the different holidays and seasons of the year. Donna loved spending time with her family- especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was loved by all and will be missed. Donna was pre-deceased by her parents, Clyde and Pearl Isaman; her husband Kenneth W. Recktenwald; her daughter, Donna Jean “Jeanie” Gessner; her sisters, Betty (Carl) Flickner and Frances (Ray) Mehlenbacher; and her step-father Ralph Mehlenbacher and several members of Ken’s family. She is survived by her daughters, Nancy (Chuck) Holtz of Wayland and Sally (Bob) Bartoo of Canaseraga; her son in law, Jack Gessner of Wayland; her grandchildren, Kristine (Justin) Shutt of Wayland, Ken “KC” (Emily) Holtz of Churchville, Jourdan Holtz (Ryan Tevlin) of Dansville; step grandchildren, Jarrod (Debbie) Bartoo of Honeoye Falls, Gregg (Leah) Bartoo of Henrietta, Amy (Jerry) Hill of Honeoye; great grandchildren, Dalton Shutt, Jade, Cora, Luke and Owen Holtz; several step great-grandchildren including Jay, Quintin, Madison, Dylan, Alex, Nicholas, Kaitlyn, Zac, Olivia and Nathan; her sisters in laws, MaryAnn Didas, Joan Recktenwald, Geraldine Recktenwald, and Jean Recktenwald; along with several nieces and nephews; and especially her cat, “Dutchy.” Donna’s family and friends may call Wednesday from 1-3 and 6-8 at St. George-Forsythe Funeral Home, 109 West Naples St., Wayland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday September 11, 2025 at 10am at St. Mary’s Church, Elizabeth St., Dansville. Committal prayers and interment will take place immediately following at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Perkinsville. Memorial contributions may be made in Donna's memory to St. Peter's Cemetery Association, PO Box 214, Perkinsville, New York 14529.