Long before the stories of the Setterington family reached the printed page, author Donna Gene Stankey meticulously sorted through years of interviews and historical records to honor a heritage defined by hard labor and local pride. The result is Rate, a compelling historical nonfiction Midwest narrative and family saga that brings to life the struggles and small triumphs of a family carving out a home in the American Midwest at the turn of the 20th century.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 28th Apr 2026 – In Rate, Stankey presents a richly detailed biographical novel and genealogical narrative documenting the lives of her ancestors, the Setterington family, in rural Elsie, Michigan, between 1893 and 1904. Rooted in rural Michigan history and early American frontier life, the story begins with the difficult birth of Ralph “Rate” Setterington in December 1893. It unfolds through the complex dynamics between parents Milford and Almina and their two children, Blanche and Ralph. While Almina and Milford often favor their daughter, Ralph navigates a childhood shaped by strict discipline, grueling farm chores, and a deep-seated need to prove his worth to his hardworking father—capturing the emotional depth of a multigenerational story grounded in resilience.
Donna Gene Stankey’s own life reflects the same quiet strength and intellectual vigor that define the ancestors she spent years documenting. Raised as the youngest of three children on a small farm in rural Elsie, Michigan, she was not indulged; instead, she thrived amid the rigorous demands of 1930s agrarian life and the steady presence of a large extended family.
Her academic talent was evident early on. After only a few weeks in second grade, she advanced directly to the third, later moving into Elsie’s public school system in search of greater challenges. She graduated as co-salutatorian at just sixteen and attended business school in Lansing, later serving as a secretary during World War II—an experience that subtly informs the narrative with a WWII-era memoir influence. Following the war, she turned toward higher education at Michigan State College, where she met her husband, Roman.
The couple settled on a family farm near Wayland, Michigan, where Donna Gene raised eight children while continuing to nurture her intellectual curiosity. She eventually returned to complete her education at Western Michigan University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in group science and a minor in English. It was there, through the mentorship of her professors, that her voice as a writer began to emerge.
This Midwestern family history narrative, co-authored and published with her daughter, Ramona Hammel, stands as the culmination of a lifetime devoted to preserving a legacy of endurance, heritage, and deeply rooted Midwestern pride.
Readers can find Rate on Amazon.
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