Obituaries

Donna S. Gutknecht, 79, of Danville, PA peacefully entered into the Lord’s presence on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Emmanuel Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, surrounded by her loving children.

Donna was born on September 13, 1946, in Sellersville, PA, to the late Wright Leon Sacks and Dorothy Gebert Sacks.

She grew up in the small town of Woxall, PA, where her mother operated the General Store and served as Postmaster. Despite a deeply loving mother, family dynamics made childhood and adolescence difficult. Miraculously, the Lord provided Donna with an old second-hand piano, which became an outlet for expression and a source of healing. At the age of 17, while attending a Revival meeting, she came to understand and experience the abiding father-like love that God had for her, and her life was never the same. She devoted her life to Christ, and from then on sought to glorify Christ and to reflect the love of God to the world.

Donna began her education in a one-room schoolhouse and graduated as Salutatorian from Souderton High School in 1964. She received her associate’s degree in Pre-Nursing from The King’s College, Briarcliff Manor, NY in 1966 and her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Cornell University in 1969. It was in New York City, while attending nursing school, that she met her future husband, David Ross Gutknecht, whom she was married for 43 years before his passing in 2012. It was music that brought them together, as she had been asked to play the piano at a party, and David, a singer, lingered to listen. They were married in December 1968, and after a short time in Hershey, PA, and Loring, Maine, they settled in Danville to raise their family.

She was a lifelong caregiver, wholly devoting herself to raising her children, caring for her five grandchildren and great-grandchild, and caring for her own mother when she became ill.

Donna had a reverent love for music and nature, and enjoyed watching birds and deer in her backyard, studying her Bible and praying, and making music on her beloved piano. She especially loved accompanying, since it was a collaborative artform. For many years she accompanied the Suzuki Violinists and played regularly for services at First Baptist Church of Danville, where she was an active member. Later in life, she returned to school to pursue her passion in music and received a bachelor’s degree in music history from Bloomsburg University in 1993. She loved befriending and mentoring students and accompanied several choral groups and numerous student and faculty recitals.

Over the years, Donna experimented with musical instruments beyond the piano. She was a proficient accordionist and a member of the Bells of Joy handbell choir at First Baptist Church. From time to time, she also studied the organ, violin, hammered dulcimer, and Irish harp.

In addition to her musical contributions, Donna volunteered for a period as an adult literacy tutor and as part of the Fishnet group from First Baptist Church. She never hesitated to help those in need, which often resulted in lasting friendships. She was an avid reader and enjoyed spelling and word games with family and friends.

Donna is survived by her three children, Kristin O’Rourke, Andrew Gutknecht, and Liesl Lewis, to whom she gave life and love. She was blessed beyond measure by her five grandchildren and one great-grandchild, Chelsea, Olivia, Lily, Juliette, Sean, and Melanie. She is also survived by her brother, Barry Sacks.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Donna’s Life to be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, May 22, 2026, at First Baptist Church, 12 Brookside Drive, Danville, PA with Reverend Dawes J. Dunham officiating. Friends will be received from 09:30- 10:45AM. Burial will follow at the Odd Fellows Cemetery.

The family will provide flowers. Memorial contributions may be made to The Gutknecht Family Charitable Fund administered by the Community Giving Foundation, 725 West Front Street, Berwick, PA 18603 (csgiving.org).

Arrangements are under the direction of Visneski Funeral Home, Inc. 42 West Mahoning Street, Danville, PA.