1930
Donna
2015
Donna Braaten
March 9, 1930 — May 14, 2015
Funeral services for Donna Braaten of Starbuck, MN will be held Monday, May 18, 2015 at 1 p.m. at East Zion Lutheran Church near Starbuck. Reverend Jackie Harvestine will be officiating. Visitation will be Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Starbuck Funeral Home in Starbuck and for one hour prior to services at the church on Monday. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Donna Mae Erickson, daughter of Edwin and Olga (Tollefson) Erickson, was born March 9, 1930 in Blue Mounds Township in Pope County, Minnesota. She grew up on the family farm and was baptized and confirmed at West Zion Lutheran Church. Donna began her schooling at Country School District 51 near Starbuck and in 1948, graduated from Starbuck High School. She continued her education by attending teachers training. Following her schooling, Donna taught in the country schools in the Starbuck area for three years. On August 16, 1952, she was united in marriage to Marvin Braaten at West Zion Lutheran Church. The couple moved to the Twin Cities, where Donna worked various jobs including: a seamstress, Archer Daniel Midland Company, and for a short time as a telephone operator. In 1955, Donna and Marvin moved back to Starbuck, where they purchased the family farm and Donna continued to teach for the next four years, until the birth of their first daughter. In 1987, the couple retired from farming and moved one mile north of Starbuck. For the first ten years after retirement, Donna and Marvin enjoyed making crafts and attending craft shows. In addition to this, Donna worked part time at the Starbuck School in the cafeteria, and for a few years prior to this, she kept busy at Feigum's Nursery in the spring. In 2009, Marvin entered the Minnewaska Lutheran Home. Donna was devoted to visiting him daily and caring for him and his needs, until he passed away in 2014.
Donna was a long-time and active member of East Zion Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday school, served as superintendent, was a member of church council, and was a leader in ladies groups. She was also a member of the VFW and Minnewaska Lutheran Home Auxiliaries. Donna volunteered at the Minnewaska Lutheran Home (MLH) and participated in activities at the Starbuck Depot. She enjoyed quilting, sewing, embroidery, gardening, exercise classes at MLH, cooking, and baking, especially cookies and pies.
After a 12-month reoccurring battle with cancer, Donna died on Thursday, May 14, 2015 at the Glacial Ridge Hospital in Glenwood, MN. She lived to 85 years.
She is survived by two daughters: Linda (Ryan) Jackson of Starbuck and Connie (Rodney) Hauer of Sartell; five grandchildren: Mitchell Jackson, Amber Jackson, Cory Jackson, Justin Hauer and Kayla Hauer; one brother-in-law: Roger Pederson and nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; one brother: Clayton (Beverly) Erickson; one sister: Joyce Pederson.
Starbuck Funeral Home in Starbuck is in charge of the arrangements.
Donna Mae Erickson, daughter of Edwin and Olga (Tollefson) Erickson, was born March 9, 1930 in Blue Mounds Township in Pope County, Minnesota. She grew up on the family farm and was baptized and confirmed at West Zion Lutheran Church. Donna began her schooling at Country School District 51 near Starbuck and in 1948, graduated from Starbuck High School. She continued her education by attending teachers training. Following her schooling, Donna taught in the country schools in the Starbuck area for three years. On August 16, 1952, she was united in marriage to Marvin Braaten at West Zion Lutheran Church. The couple moved to the Twin Cities, where Donna worked various jobs including: a seamstress, Archer Daniel Midland Company, and for a short time as a telephone operator. In 1955, Donna and Marvin moved back to Starbuck, where they purchased the family farm and Donna continued to teach for the next four years, until the birth of their first daughter. In 1987, the couple retired from farming and moved one mile north of Starbuck. For the first ten years after retirement, Donna and Marvin enjoyed making crafts and attending craft shows. In addition to this, Donna worked part time at the Starbuck School in the cafeteria, and for a few years prior to this, she kept busy at Feigum's Nursery in the spring. In 2009, Marvin entered the Minnewaska Lutheran Home. Donna was devoted to visiting him daily and caring for him and his needs, until he passed away in 2014.
Donna was a long-time and active member of East Zion Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday school, served as superintendent, was a member of church council, and was a leader in ladies groups. She was also a member of the VFW and Minnewaska Lutheran Home Auxiliaries. Donna volunteered at the Minnewaska Lutheran Home (MLH) and participated in activities at the Starbuck Depot. She enjoyed quilting, sewing, embroidery, gardening, exercise classes at MLH, cooking, and baking, especially cookies and pies.
After a 12-month reoccurring battle with cancer, Donna died on Thursday, May 14, 2015 at the Glacial Ridge Hospital in Glenwood, MN. She lived to 85 years.
She is survived by two daughters: Linda (Ryan) Jackson of Starbuck and Connie (Rodney) Hauer of Sartell; five grandchildren: Mitchell Jackson, Amber Jackson, Cory Jackson, Justin Hauer and Kayla Hauer; one brother-in-law: Roger Pederson and nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; one brother: Clayton (Beverly) Erickson; one sister: Joyce Pederson.
Starbuck Funeral Home in Starbuck is in charge of the arrangements.
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