1930
Donna
2009
Donna Engquist
July 11, 1930 — October 9, 2009
Donna Jean Engquist, daughter of Louis and Mary (Kempf) Nagl, was born July 11, 1930, in Morris, MN. She grew up in Alberta, MN where she attended school and graduated in 1948. She began working at the Morris Hospital and received her LPN degree in 1950. On October 22, 1949, she was united in marriage to Wallace Engquist, and to this union eight children were born. She continued to work at the same hospital until it closed. She was then employed at Stevens County Memorial Hospital in Morris. In 1978, she became employed at the Villa of St. Francis, working there for 23 years until she retired. In 1975, she and her husband became the first members to pass the EMT course and became the ambulance service at Grant County Auto Racing and local sporting events at the Herman School.
Donna was a member of St. Charles Catholic Church. She was the secretary of both the Norcross Legion Auxiliary and Norcross Senior Citizens. She was a member of St. Charles Catholic Guild, Daughter’s of Isabella and the Morris Eagles. She was a past secretary of Buffalo Ridge Senior Federation, past member of Grant County Cancer Society and past leader of the Progressive 4-H club. She had the honor of being voted Herman–Norcross Mother of the Year. In 1992, she was inducted into the Oddfellows Hall of Fame.
Donna was a kind woman who loved to help others and was always there for anyone in need. She was called “Grandma Donna” by most who knew her. She loved spending time with her family and friends and especially enjoyed going to sporting events of her kids and grandkids. She was very proud of having been a nurse for 42 years.
She is survived by her 8 children: Jean (Ralph) Kieley of Grafton, ND; Susan (Steve) Kvamme of West Fargo, ND; LouAnn (Gary) Thomson of McDonald, TN, Lana (Mike Farris) Engquist of Englewood, FL; Gerald (Lisa) Engquist of Herman, MN; Lynn Engquist of Herman, MN; Jan (Brett) Schmidt of Hawley, MN; Kurt (Deb) Engquist of West Fargo, ND, and fourteen grandchildren: Daniel and Bradley Kvamme; Sarah (Ron Halverson) and Ron Apland; Kadie (Tanner Lehman), Kara, Kelly, and Kristi Engquist; Issabille Kroeger; Breanna, Brinn, and Jaycee Schmidt; Brittany Anderson and Chris Engquist. One brother-in-law: Gene Williamson of Paynesville, MN; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Wallace Engquist, and her sister Armella Williamson.
Pallbearers for the service are her 3 sons and 5 grandsons. Honorary Pallbearers are all of Donna’s former nursing co-workers, Norcross Legion Auxiliary members, and her 9 granddaughters. Marilyn Backman will serve as organist for the service, with Bradley Kvamme as soloist. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that you plant a tree in Donna’s memory.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donna Engquist, please visit our flower store.