Donna Kay Behnke, 68, of Tolono, Illinois, passed away peacefully on March 9th, 2026 after a very quick, ferocious battle with cancer.

Donna was born on June 15th, 1957 in Champaign, Illinois to Donald and Mary Kay Sjoken. Donna graduated from Monticello High School in 1975 and had a variety of jobs. Office manager, poker dealer, bartender and her favorite included working at the State Farm Center as supervisor of ushers, up until the day she passed away.

Donna was one of a kind. Growing up she was a mischievous child which clearly carried through to adulthood. She was the oldest of 4 siblings which is where she acquired her leadership skills. She participated in volleyball, basketball and played the tenor sax in the marching band. After high school, she became a Bradley Babe and that’s where she met her hunka hunka burning love, Danny. They got married June 3, 1979. They had 2 children, Kyle and Haley, which she was extremely proud of. Many things that kept her busy were Bowling league, where she became a Hall of Fame member, Pia’s golf league, playing poker that eventually led her to become a poker dealer all over the US. She also enjoyed watching golf, college basketball and nascar. She was passionate about attending her kids events growing up, including being a Queen mom. Eventually she became an Oma(Grandma), which was her number 1 joy in life. Her grandkids were the sugar to her coffee and if you know her, she always had more sugar than coffee in her cup. One of her last joys in life was working at the State Farm Center as a supervisor of ushers. She met many friends, players, and coaches. She always had a smile on her face and never knew a stranger. She was easy to talk to, gave wonderful advice and had a wicked sense of humor just like her dadee.

Donna is survived by her husband of 46 years, Dan Behnke; her children Kyle (Katy) Behnke, Haley (Nate) Ralston; four grandchildren, Ty Ralston(16), Grayson Behnke(13), Kaycie Ralston(13) and Preston Behnke(11); her parents Donald and Mary Kay Sjoken; her favorite aunt Velma Olson; Sisters Rhonda (Wayne) Collins, Leann (Alan) Augustus, and Brother Daniel (Yvonne) Sjoken. She was preceded in death by her grandparents; her in-laws Cliff and Lillie Behnke and 4 Turtle Seesters, Sheree, Terry, Brenda and Sue.

A celebration of life will take place on Sunday, April 12th, from 2-6 pm at the Elks Lodge in Savoy. Please wear your favorite Illini or orange and blue attire.

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