Donna Eystad

Donna Grace Root, daughter of Walter and Laura (LaGue) Root was born in Marshall, Minnesota on February 2, 1927. She graduated from the West Central School of Agriculture. She married Melvin Joseph Eystad on October 25, 1945.  Donna and Melvin were married for 49 years. Melvin died on April 12, 1995. During their 49 years of marriage they farmed for 15 years, owned Eystad Trucking for 36 years, and owned and operated Eystad's store in Hancock from 1974 until 1986. In 1980, they opened a store in Chokio and in 1986 they moved the Hancock store to Morris, which Donna continued to operate until 1997.

On January 3, 1998 Donna married Donald (Don) Bahr. Donna and Don have enjoyed a very active retirement, which has involved gardening and visiting friends and family while traveling the country in their motor home .

Donna passed away on Monday, July 26, 2010 at the Courage Cottage in Morris, MN, having lived to reach the age of 83 years.

Donna is survived by her husband: Don Bahr; seven children: Janice (Noel) Johnson of Anoka, Lee (Donna) Eystad of Donnelly, Calvin (Levinia) Eystad of Hancock, Kahla (Glen) Gillespie of Alberta, Jamey (Kathy) Eystad of Donnelly, Robert (Bernie) Eystad of Donnelly, Laurie (Rick) Rollman of Litiz, PA; twelve grandchildren: Nykol Johnson, Jacob (Mindy) Eystad, Marty Eystad, Christina (Greg) Frazier, Bryan (Laressa) Wong, Marvi (Christopher) Medower, Kelly Gillespie, Carrie (Brian) Vander Bussche, Jesse (Misty) Eystad, Zachary Eystad, Cody Eystad, Lacey Eystad;  six great-grandchildren: Aryn Eystad, Lee Eystad, Garret Eystad, Cael Eystad, Chalee Eystad, Kane Eystad, Devon Vander Bussche, Zane Vander Bussche; two step-children: Deborah (Chuck) Huss of Shakopee and Russell (Brenda) Bahr of California; step-grandchildren: Shannon Huss, Cassandra Huss, Michelle Huss, Keith (Grizz) Bahr and Rachel (Mandy) Bahr; one sister: Dorothy Slough of Ladysmith, WI. She was preceded in death by her parents: Walter and Laura Root; husband: Melvin Eystad; brother: James Root; sister: Doris Rognlin and foster brother: Phillip Thomas.

Pallbearers for the service are: Jacob Eystad, Kelly Gillespie, Zachary Eystad, Marty Eystad, Jesse Eystad, Cody Eystad and Bryan Wong. Rita Lambert will serve as pianist for the service with Carrie Vander Bussche serving as soloist. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to the Courage Cottage or Reque Cemetery fund .