Siblings Honor Parents With Scholarship

Donald and Carol Dati, born to immigrant Italian families, were role models in giving back to the community as they volunteered at their parishes, coached their kids’ sports teams and selflessly served other civic groups. 

“Our parents were always there for us and supported us through every stage of our lives,” says daughter Janine Baudhuin. “They enrolled us in Catholic education, supported our marriages and our families.” 

Donald and Carol passed away within 14 months of each other – Carol in 2021 and Donald in 2022. As their four children, eleven grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren remember their legacies, the family has established a scholarship in honor of the couple. 

Recognizing the Importance of Nursing Roles

“We understand the importance and critical roles nurses have in patients’ lives,” says Gregg Dati, who along with Janine, brother Brian Dati and sister Cheryl Neder support the Donald and Carol Dati Family Scholarship through Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital Foundation. “Given the critical need of nurses we felt it would be a real tangible method of giving some of mom and dad’s financial blessings to individuals needing assistance to help achieve their education goals.” 

This year’s recipient, Alexandra Ninu, is a nursing student at Marquette University. 

Married for 63 years, the Datis worked hard as they raised their family: Donald in heating, ventilation and air conditioning for St. Luke’s Hospital and Carol in bill processing for Wisconsin Gas Company. They retired in 2004. Carol enjoyed sewing and cooking, served as an election poll worker and counted collections at Saints Peter and Paul Parish on the eastside and St. Dominic’s in Brookfield. Donald was a handyman who could fix anything. 

“They came from nothing and made a home with four kids,” Gregg recalls. “They are part of the generation that knew how to save money and passed on that philosophy. They would be happy and proud that we are helping others.” 

Carol was diagnosed with cancer in 2009 and received medical care and treatments at Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital and Froedtert Hospital. Later in life, the couple lived in The Arboretum Senior Community in Menomonee Falls. 

“Honestly, our parents knew they needed assistance and the certified nursing assistants and nurses who cared for them were angels,” Janine says. “As their children, we watched closely and made sure the staff was attentive to their needs. We always felt they were in good care.” 

Supporting Nurses Through Scholarship

Supporting nurses through the scholarship was a natural choice. 

“The desire to be a nurse, to display compassion and help others in need is a special gift,” Janine adds. “The scholarship is very important as schooling has become expensive and sometimes not possible for certain individuals.” 

Gregg recommends that families looking for an appropriate way to honor a loved one should consider establishing a scholarship. 

“If your heart believes it’s the right thing to do, then give what you can to financially help anyone who could use this valuable resource,” he adds.