1929
Donna
2011
Donna Messenger-Hayes
August 22, 1929 — November 27, 2011
Donna Marie (Nunn) Messenger-Hayes passed away Sunday, November 27, in her home.
Donna was born August 22, 1929 on the family farm to Herbert and Minnie (Conklin) Nunn in Detroit Lakes, MN. She received her education at Holmes School in Detroit Lakes. Donna and her siblings and her Mother (adult leader) were active in Heart O'Lakes 4-H Club. She helped the county 4-H leader, Mr. W.H. Turner start clubs in the area.
There was hard work, but many fun and good times growing up on the farm. Her father died when she was very young, but she had a mother who held the family together on the farm. Donna and her sisters were active in young peoples group in the church and they used to sing special numbers in church and at 4-H gatherings. She helped out at the Northern Lights Nightclub just down the road from the farm, when needed.
In high school she used to work in the principal and superintendent's office during study hall periods. Donna worked at F.W. Woolworth store and L.J. Norby department store in Detroit Lakes and was a nurse's aide at Sans Beach Sanitarium in Lake Park, MN.
Donna married William Messenger of Fergus Falls at the Baptist Parsonage by Rev. John Douglass in Detroit Lakes. To this union two sons were born, David and Steven. She was married for a short time to Myron Hayes of Fergus Falls, he passed away in 1984.
She was active in school and church activities that included her children, Room Mother, PTA Membership Chairman, Sunday School Teacher and Daily Vacation Bible School Superintendent for about six years. Donna was a Den Mother for Cub Scouts for both of her sons for six years and Den Leader Coach for one year. She and Vivian Hatton used to take and serve hot dogs and hot chocolate at the ice arena for hockey games before they had a concession stand. Donna worked at Cleveland School as a noon hour supervisor and several years at Broen Memorial Home as a nurse's aide and many years at the Viking Cafe and also helped to cater many banquets and receptions. She worked at the Armory for the blood mobile for the Red Cross. Donna helped out at her son's flower shop, "designs by Dave" when needed, she also did volunteer work many years for the March of Dimes, Heart Association and Cancer Drives.
Donna was a member of the Federated Church, American Legion Auxiliary Post #30 and a Life Member of the VFW Auxiliary Post #612. She enjoyed dancing and playing bingo and going to the casino once in a while. Donna enjoyed cooking and loved to bake for her grandson and her family. Lucas was always her pride and joy. She enjoyed family reunions and get-togethers over the years and all holidays.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Minnie; sisters, Joybelle Ackerson-Smith and Zella Sebelius; two nieces, Kathleen (Nunn) Kent and Janet (Nunn) Rolf; two nephews, Roger and Warren Sebelius; three half-brothers, Martin, Allie and Gordon Nunn; three half-sisters, Elizabeth Edwards, Lattie Palmquist and Bernice Hart and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Donna is survived by her two sons, David Messenger and his life partner, Dennis Martz, Steven Messenger; grandson, Lucas David Boese (Steve's son); brother, Warren Nunn; many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews; and great-great nieces and nephews and several cousins.
Donations may be made to the LRH Cancer Research Center.
Funeral Services: 2:00 PM, Friday, December 2, at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls
Visitation: one hour prior to the service at the funeral home
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls
Condolences: www.GlendeNilson.com
Donna was born August 22, 1929 on the family farm to Herbert and Minnie (Conklin) Nunn in Detroit Lakes, MN. She received her education at Holmes School in Detroit Lakes. Donna and her siblings and her Mother (adult leader) were active in Heart O'Lakes 4-H Club. She helped the county 4-H leader, Mr. W.H. Turner start clubs in the area.
There was hard work, but many fun and good times growing up on the farm. Her father died when she was very young, but she had a mother who held the family together on the farm. Donna and her sisters were active in young peoples group in the church and they used to sing special numbers in church and at 4-H gatherings. She helped out at the Northern Lights Nightclub just down the road from the farm, when needed.
In high school she used to work in the principal and superintendent's office during study hall periods. Donna worked at F.W. Woolworth store and L.J. Norby department store in Detroit Lakes and was a nurse's aide at Sans Beach Sanitarium in Lake Park, MN.
Donna married William Messenger of Fergus Falls at the Baptist Parsonage by Rev. John Douglass in Detroit Lakes. To this union two sons were born, David and Steven. She was married for a short time to Myron Hayes of Fergus Falls, he passed away in 1984.
She was active in school and church activities that included her children, Room Mother, PTA Membership Chairman, Sunday School Teacher and Daily Vacation Bible School Superintendent for about six years. Donna was a Den Mother for Cub Scouts for both of her sons for six years and Den Leader Coach for one year. She and Vivian Hatton used to take and serve hot dogs and hot chocolate at the ice arena for hockey games before they had a concession stand. Donna worked at Cleveland School as a noon hour supervisor and several years at Broen Memorial Home as a nurse's aide and many years at the Viking Cafe and also helped to cater many banquets and receptions. She worked at the Armory for the blood mobile for the Red Cross. Donna helped out at her son's flower shop, "designs by Dave" when needed, she also did volunteer work many years for the March of Dimes, Heart Association and Cancer Drives.
Donna was a member of the Federated Church, American Legion Auxiliary Post #30 and a Life Member of the VFW Auxiliary Post #612. She enjoyed dancing and playing bingo and going to the casino once in a while. Donna enjoyed cooking and loved to bake for her grandson and her family. Lucas was always her pride and joy. She enjoyed family reunions and get-togethers over the years and all holidays.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Minnie; sisters, Joybelle Ackerson-Smith and Zella Sebelius; two nieces, Kathleen (Nunn) Kent and Janet (Nunn) Rolf; two nephews, Roger and Warren Sebelius; three half-brothers, Martin, Allie and Gordon Nunn; three half-sisters, Elizabeth Edwards, Lattie Palmquist and Bernice Hart and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Donna is survived by her two sons, David Messenger and his life partner, Dennis Martz, Steven Messenger; grandson, Lucas David Boese (Steve's son); brother, Warren Nunn; many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews; and great-great nieces and nephews and several cousins.
Donations may be made to the LRH Cancer Research Center.
Funeral Services: 2:00 PM, Friday, December 2, at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls
Visitation: one hour prior to the service at the funeral home
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls
Condolences: www.GlendeNilson.com
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