Racine – Donna T. Lathrop, 88, passed away on Sunday, November 5, 2017. Donna was born in Moran, MI on August 13, 1929, the daughter of Reinholdt and Marion (nee, Battye) Alders. She married C. Vernon Laabs in Racine in 1978. He preceded her in death in 2002. Donna graduated from Horlick High School in 1947 and the St. Luke's School of Nursing in 1950. She has held a wide variety of staff nurse positions including Obstetrics, intensive care, emergency room, medical-surgical nursing and psychiatry. Following service in second and third shift supervisory capacities, she became the Assistant Director of Nursing in 1972, and Director of Nursing in 1974. Donna was named the Vice President of Nursing in 1984 and has the distinction of being the first women in Racine to hold that position. Donna instituted several innovative nursing programs for orientation and retention of nurses, including refresher courses for persons returning, internship programs for new graduates, and summer programs for additional clinical experience for nursing students. She also developed health care exposure for high school students, contributed, promoted, and directed the publication of Clinical Nursing Procedures in 1984 and worked with the research department of S.C. Johnson on their development of skin care products. Serving the community as a loaned executive for United Way, Donna began many years of service with the United Way Speakers Bureau and the United Way Board. The Lutheran Social Services also benefited from her skills in many positions on the State of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan Board and on the Local Advisory Board. Continuing to serve her community Donna has contributed twenty-four and a half years as a Volunteer Nurse with Haven. She also started a nurse assessment program when Runaways opened, and served on their board for over ten years. The St. Monica's Senior Home Board, DePaul Hospital Board, UW Parkside BSN Consortia Program committee and advisory board, Gateway Technical College advisory committee for RN and LPN programs, the Racine Interfaith Coalition, the Martin Luther King Center, Racine Area Geriatric Assessment Center, Local Prison Reform Initiatives and Lutherdale Bible Camp have all benefitted by her participation. Donna was a very active member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church. Survivors include her children, Gloria (OB) Beal and Sam (Tafi) Lathrop; step-children, John (Scott Kranzusch) Laabs and James Laabs; daughters-in-law, Lois Lathrop, Pamela Lathrop, Louise Laabs and Judy Dyess; fourteen grandchildren; and thirteen great grandchildren. Donna is also survived by cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her son, Michael Lathrop; and grandson, Lukas. Funeral Services for Donna will be held at United Lutheran Church, 3825 Erie Street, on Saturday, November 11, 2017 at 11:30 a.m. with Rev. John Bischoff officiating. Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at the church on Saturday morning from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:30 a.m.