Raymond Donajkowski

Raymond W. Donajkowski, 68, of Hudson, passed peacefully with his wife by his side, into his eternal home with the Lord on Monday, October 5, 2026, at Regions Hospital, Saint Paul. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on March 22, 1958, to Clarence and Glores (Ring) Donajkowski. Ray was baptized at St. Leo’s Catholic Church, Milwaukee, WI. Ray’s family moved from Milwaukee to Port Washington, WI when Ray was five years old. Ray received his First Communion and Confirmation at St. Peter of Alcantara Catholic Church in Port Washington.

Ray was a graduate of Port Washington High School Class of 1976 where he worked on the school paper as a photographer for the school’s sports teams. He then went on to graduate from Marquette University in 1980 with a 4.0 GPA and earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Following graduation, Ray began his professional career with Payco American Corporation in Brookfield, Wisconsin and then moved to Menasha Corporation where he had a variety of accounting positions, finally becoming Controller of numerous facilities in and around Lakeville, Minnesota, before his retirement from Menasha.

In his free time, he traveled extensively with his family, with Florida being his favorite place to go. With him being a huge micky mouse fan since his childhood, you know Disney world was his favorite place. They always said “welcome home” whenever he arrived.

On one evening while working on his computer, a pop up came up for CatholicMatch.com (A dating site) he thought for sure it was coming from his grandmother in heaven. She would always ask him, “do you have a girlfriend yet?” so he filled out the profile just to see what would happen. A few months later he was having a 5-hour lunch date with his future wife. He said he knew right away because of her smile. Six months later, he popped the question and the following year he married the love of his life, Diana Lynn Clayton, on September 14, 2013.

He will be dearly missed and forever in the hearts of his loving and devoted wife, Diana, of Hudson; his sister Debbie (Tim) Froh of Fond du Lac, WI; and bonus daughter Lacy Lynn Clayton of Balsam Lake, WI.

Ray’s parents preceded him in death, Clarence “Butch” in 2016 and Glores Donajkowski in 2022.

Services will be held for Ray on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1500 Vine Street, Hudson, WI. Visitation starts at 2:00 PM and a Mass of Christian Burial at 3:00 PM. Following the Mass there will be dinner at the church, drinks will follow dinner at Willow River Saloon in Burkhardt at 5:30 PM.

A private family service is being planned with burial at St. Patrick Cemetery, Hudson, WI.

Ray’s family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Hudson Physicians, Hudson Hospital and Clinic, Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN, and Adoray Home Health and Hospice, especially Kacey and Brinley for their compassionate care. Also, a special thank you to the staff at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, for all the care given to Ray over the last number of years.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ray’s name can be made to the St. Croix Valley Food Bank in Hudson.

In honor of Ray’s love of sports please come wearing your Packer, Brewers, Bucks, or Badger attire.