Donna Marie Graham

MOHAWK-Donna Marie Graham age 70 passed away peacefully on Wednesday evening December 28, 2016 in her home. She was surrounded with the comfort and support of her loving family at her side. She was born on August 29, 1946 in Ilion, daughter of the late Arthur S. and Alice M. Leuenberger Krouse. A lifelong area resident she was educated in Ilion, Frankfort and graduated from Herkimer High School. On December 12, 1964 she was united in marriage to Thomas James Graham in Saint Francis deSales Church, Herkimer. They made their home in Columbia Center before moving to Mohawk in 1987. Donna had worked for Dan-Dee Doughnuts in Herkimer before purchasing Leda's Diner in East Herkimer, in 1992 and renaming it Donna's Diner. She successfully operated the business until her retirement in 2014. To all who knew her she was a caring, hardworking and generous lady. Donna's personality and warmth was felt by all who entered her restaurant and no one ever left feeling hungry. In her leisure time she enjoyed playing cards and going to the Turning Stone Casino. She will be sadly missed by her many friends and family, especially her cherished grandson Joey.
Surviving are her devoted husband of fifty-two years Thomas, one daughter Colleen Carlesimo and her husband Joseph of Ilion, her grandson Joey Carlesimo, three brothers, Richard "Dicky" Krouse and his wife Barbara of Alabama, David Krouse and Arthur Krouse, her cousin Linda Laporte who was more like a sister than a cousin, two special nieces Donna Charish and Debbie LaValle along with many other nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by three brothers, Robert Krouse, Ronald Krouse and Kenneth Krouse. Calling hours for Mrs. Graham will be on Tuesday from 4:00 to 7:00 pm in Fenner Funeral Home, Inc., 115 Court Street; Herkimer. A funeral service will follow immediately after at 7:00 pm in the funeral home with the Reverend Mark Cunningham, Pastor of Saint Francis deSales Church officiating.
Interment will take place later this spring in Oak Hill Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to Hospice & Palliative Care or St. Jude's Hospital. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home