January 7, 1939 – October 15, 2026
Donna Mae (McCaffrey) Jaggi, age 87, passed away peacefully on October 15, 2026, at St. Mary’s Hospice, surrounded by her loving family. In true Donna fashion, she held on just long enough to make sure her beloved Milwaukee Brewers were officially heading to the World Series—finally satisfied that her cheerleading work here was done.
Donna was born on January 7, 1939, in Magnolia, Wisconsin, to Ernest and Beatrice (Setzer) McCaffrey. She was the youngest of seven children and the last surviving member of her immediate family, a title she held with grace (and likely a little sass). She was just a baby when her parents traded farm life for town life in Evansville, where she grew up and attended school.
On April 16, 1955, Donna married the love of her life, Frederick C. Jaggi. They made their home in Brodhead for an incredible 6112 years until Frederick’s passing in 2016. Together, they raised four children and one grandson, creating a household that was always loud, always warm, and always full of life.
Donna was the ultimate homemaker and the indisputable, loving backbone of her family. Anyone and everyone could rely on her for a quick laugh, a favor, or a helping hand. If you walked into her home hungry, that was entirely your own fault—Donna was famous for her massive holiday feasts, always cooking enough extra food to feed half the neighborhood. To her children’s friends, she was simply “Mom,” and to her grandchildren’s friends, she was “Grandma.” If you knew her, you were family, period.
Together with Frederick, Donna helped host “Fritz’s Bluegrass” in Brodhead and later at the Orfordville Legion. Musicians and music lovers came from near and far to jam, laugh, and share good times. Bringing joy to others through music and togetherness was a true lifelong passion for them both.
Donna lived life to the fullest. She loved spending time with her family, riding shotgun with Frederick in the semi-truck, playing Euchre with friends, and engaging in competitive games of “Batley” with her grandkids and their friends. A die-hard Wisconsin sports fan through and through, she cheered passionately for the Green Bay Packers and her cherished Milwaukee Brewers.
Donna is survived by her children: Cindy (Dennis) Haberman, Susan (Steve) Olsen, and Jerry Jaggi, all of Brodhead, and Michael (Kalise) Axon of Waunakee. She also leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of 11 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great-grandchildren, as well as countless bonus “kids” she adopted with her heart over the years.
She was reunited in heaven with her parents, Ernest and Beatrice; her beloved husband, Frederick; her daughter, Sandra Axon; her granddaughter, Teri Haberman; three sisters and three brothers; and many cherished pets, including her faithful companion and favorite dog, Mac.
The family extends a special and heartfelt thank you to the incredible nursing and hospice staff at St. Mary’s Hospital (5SW and 7SW) for their exceptional care, compassion, and support during her final days.
Donna’s warmth, humor, and endless generosity will be missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. Her family takes comfort in knowing she’s now resting comfortably, enjoying a front-row seat at the World Series, watching her beloved Milwaukee Brewers!
Donna was buried at the Greenwood Cemetery in Brodhead, WI on October 23, 2026.
DL Newcomer Funeral home assisted the family in arrangements.
Dlnewcomerfuneralhome.com 608-897-2484