Dona Caroline Stout, 85, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 14, 2022 at Elkhart General Hospital following an illness.  She was born in Los Angeles, CA on Dec. 31, 1936 to the late Timothy J. Collins and Irma E. Sandberg.  She is also preceded in death by her stepfather George W. Sandberg, as well as a brother, Timothy Sandberg and a sister, Sharri Carpenter.

Surviving Dona is her daughter Janet (Rin) Sonam of Elkhart; sons Thomas (Suzy) and Mark Stout, both of Elkhart; brother Kerry (Peggy) Sandberg of Wabash; sister Penelope "Penny" (Paul) Bovenkerk of Cameron Park, CA; grandchildren Ryen and Rachel (Keith) Sonam, Alex Haney, Elliot Denton and Bailey (Colin) Howard; great grandchildren Cayden and Camden Howard and Mason and Frederick Denton, and a host of loving extended family, friends, neighbors, and her beloved grand-cat Otis.

Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elkhart is proudly hosting Dona's Celebration of Life service on Friday, January 21, 2022 at 1:00 pm. A time of fellowship with family and friends will begin there at 11:00 am. The Reverend Jeremy Sarber will officiate and burial will follow at Prairie Street Cemetery.

Dona spent just over 30 years as a silver solderer at Gemeinhardt Musical Instruments in Elkhart, but her number one responsibility was to take care of her family. She loved her children and her grandchildren. She was also an avid camper in her earlier years and made many friends.

At home, she enjoyed relaxing to a good book, taking in a movie on the Hallmark Channel or tending to her flowers. Dona loved to dine out, with her family or her friends

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial contributions be made to the Pet Refuge Animal Shelter, 4626 S. Burnett Drive, South Bend, IN 46614, or to the Humane Society of Elkhart County. Those wishing to leave condolences, personal messages or photographs may do so on Dona's obit page on the funeral home's website. Thank you for your interest in Dona's life!

Dona's family has politely requested that face masks are strongly encouraged but not required.