Donna Dahlen

Donna Marie Dahlen was born on June 25, 1961, to Glen and Corinne Dahlen in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.  She was raised in a loving home on the family farm near Ashby where she grew up playing with her siblings and helping out with chores.  She attended Ashby high school where she graduated in 1979.  Donna had an adventurous spirit and decided to head out west to explore.  It was during this time that she worked at Blue Bell Lodge at Custer State Park in South Dakota.  Her love of the mountains and hiking grew as she spent time visiting many of the surrounding states.

Eventually, she returned to Ashby and met Dennis Griep.  From this relationship their son Jesse was born.  He was the star of Donna’s universe.  Over the years, she was employed at several different businesses which included Borg Drug, The Snack Shack, Walmart in Fergus Falls and Big Chief Truck Stop.  One of her favorite aspects of her job was meeting people and talking about anything and everything.  She could carry on a conversation with just about anyone and enjoyed it immensely. 

For many years, Donna was known to have vegetable gardens which she spent the summers canning the bountiful harvest, especially salsa.  She learned baking skills from her mother and grandmother.  She could make the thinnest, tastiest Scandinavian flatbread you could imagine along with all the other sweet treats she was so talented to bake.

On a stormy winter night, Donna lost Jesse in a car accident, and it was almost too much for a mother to bear.  She eventually sought solace in her books, writing and facing life head on with a positive attitude.  Even though Donna had numerous health issues that came about, she remained strong in her determination to turn around her circumstances and live a life of gratitude.

Donna passed away in her home on January 10, 2024, as a result of her long-term illness.  She is no longer in pain and is basking in the glory of heaven with her loved ones.  She is survived by her mother, Corinne Dahlen, siblings; Cheryl (Diedrich) Von Soosten of Florida; Lori (Jeff) Brede of Alexandria; Dan (Karen) Dahlen of Foley; Jana (Bill) Lachowitzer and Julie (Ryan) Dahlen of Ashby.  She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews along with great nieces and nephews and their families.  She was preceded in death by her father, Glen Dahlen; her son, Jesse Griep and her niece, Shanna Dahlen.

Family and friends will gather to remember Donna on Friday, January 19, 2024, at the Glende-Nilson Chapel in Ashby for a visitation at 2:00 pm and a service following at 3:00 pm.