Donalee Dorhauer Carlson

Donalee Dorhauer Carlson, 86, of Mishawaka, IN, passed away unexpectedly, with her family by her side, on Saturday August 16, 2025 at Ernestine Raclin Hospice House.

She was born on July 21, 1939 in Chicago, IL to Lawrence O. and Rosemarie (Howse) Dorhauer. She married Ted W. Carlson, Jr. on July 2, 1971 in South Bend, IN and again on July 2, 2000 in Dowagiac, MI. He preceded her in death on May 9, 2016.

Donalee graduated from Central High School in South Bend, where she was a member of the Spurs sorority. She was a part-time weather girl in the sixties. She later became the Film Director for WNDU. Later in her career, she held various sales positions in the healthcare industry and spent 15 years as a Sales Representative for Business Communication Center. She loved the Civic Theater, having won a Best Actress Award for her memorable performance in “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.” Donalee enjoyed living on Magician Lake and in Boca Raton, FL. In recent years, she mastered the art of binge-watching Netflix. She attended Christ the King Catholic Church.

Left to cherish her memory are her sister, Ilarae Caudill; her nieces: Rosie (John) Beard, Chris Caudill and Deb (Jim) Ewing; her great nephews and nieces: Tyler (Leah), Evan (Mercedes), Conner (Paige), Cameron, Katie, Kynzlee, Brandie, Braden, Jayde, Annabelle, Madyson, Noah and Preston. Also surviving is her brother-in-law Bill (Barb) Carlson and stepchildren: Annie Lucas, Ted W. Carlson III and Sharon Cumming.

A Catholic Funeral Service will be held at 12 P.M. Saturday August 23, 2025 at the McGann Hay, Granger Chapel, 13260 S.R. 23, Granger, IN, enter off Cherry Rd. Friends may visit with the family for two hours prior to the service. Burial will follow at Southlawn Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the ALS Society.