1924
Donna
2011
Donna Mikkelson
December 17, 1924 — November 1, 2011
Donna A. Mikkelson, 86, of Fergus Falls, passed away on Tuesday, November 1, 2011 in Pioneer Care, Fergus Falls.
Donna Adeline Mikkelson was born on December 17, 1924 in Tracy, MN, the daughter of Nelder "Pete" and Maude Peterson. She grew up in the Tracy area, but her family was required to move around due to the Great Depression, eventually ending up in South Minneapolis. She graduated from High School in June, 1942 from Marshall High School in Southeast Minneapolis. After high school, Donna attended dental hygiene school at the University of Minnesota, completing her studies in March of 1944.
While working as a dental hygienist, Donna lived in a boarding house with 14 other women, and met a "handsome, romantic, creative man", Thomas Mikkelson, and asked him out on a date. They were married November 10, 1951 in Minneapolis. Early in their marriage, Tom and Donna spent a summer in Showhegan, Maine, where Tom and other artists painted a fresco painting at the South Solon Meeting House.
After returning from Maine, Donna and Tom moved to Alexandria, where they operated Sportsman's Paradise on Lake Mary. Beginning in 1955, the couple was blessed with five children. Tom and Donna were wonderful parents, never missing anything their children were involved in.
In the fall of 1963, Donna and Tom moved to Fergus Falls, where Tom managed Vernon Studios. As the kids grew up, Donna worked part-time at the Fergus Falls High School as a teacher's aide, working later at the Lutheran Social Services children's home, a job Donna saw as truly satisfying.
In 1979, Tom passed away and Donna continued to make her home in Fergus Falls.
Family was most important to Donna. She loved her grandchildren, attending activities whenever she was able. Throughout life, Donna enjoyed traveling, with family during the early years and later in life, with friends. Donna was a long-time member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church and volunteered at the church often.
Donna loved to square dance, enjoyed camping, knitting, crocheting, bridge, and playing board games with her kids. Especially memorable were the family outings on Ottertail Lake.
Donna is survived by five children: Tom, Prior Lake, MN; Chris (Barb), Jamestown, ND; Pete (Roxane), Bertha, MN; Mary Block, St. Paul, MN; and Ann (Bassam) Abukhodair, Hermantown, MN. Grandchildren who survive Donna include Ben and Annie Mikkelson; Melissa, Chastity and Ryan Mikkelson; Nathan (Stacy) Payne, Jeremy (MaKayla) Payne, Cora Mikkelson Emily (Shawn) Nelson, Deanna Mikkelson; Katie and Sophie Block; Samir, Zac, Isak, and Lyla Abukhodair.
In addition to her parents, Donna is preceded in death by her husband Tom; a stillborn son; and a great grandchild, Chevelle.
Visitation: 5 - 7 PM, Friday, November 4, 2011, with a prayer service at 6:30 PM, in Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls.
Mass of Christian Burial: 11 AM, Saturday, November 5, 2011, in Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, Fergus Falls, with visitation from 10 - 11 AM at church.
Burial: St. Otto's Catholic Cemetery, Fergus Falls
Officiating: Father Greg Paffel
The Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls is in charge of the arrangements.
Donna Adeline Mikkelson was born on December 17, 1924 in Tracy, MN, the daughter of Nelder "Pete" and Maude Peterson. She grew up in the Tracy area, but her family was required to move around due to the Great Depression, eventually ending up in South Minneapolis. She graduated from High School in June, 1942 from Marshall High School in Southeast Minneapolis. After high school, Donna attended dental hygiene school at the University of Minnesota, completing her studies in March of 1944.
While working as a dental hygienist, Donna lived in a boarding house with 14 other women, and met a "handsome, romantic, creative man", Thomas Mikkelson, and asked him out on a date. They were married November 10, 1951 in Minneapolis. Early in their marriage, Tom and Donna spent a summer in Showhegan, Maine, where Tom and other artists painted a fresco painting at the South Solon Meeting House.
After returning from Maine, Donna and Tom moved to Alexandria, where they operated Sportsman's Paradise on Lake Mary. Beginning in 1955, the couple was blessed with five children. Tom and Donna were wonderful parents, never missing anything their children were involved in.
In the fall of 1963, Donna and Tom moved to Fergus Falls, where Tom managed Vernon Studios. As the kids grew up, Donna worked part-time at the Fergus Falls High School as a teacher's aide, working later at the Lutheran Social Services children's home, a job Donna saw as truly satisfying.
In 1979, Tom passed away and Donna continued to make her home in Fergus Falls.
Family was most important to Donna. She loved her grandchildren, attending activities whenever she was able. Throughout life, Donna enjoyed traveling, with family during the early years and later in life, with friends. Donna was a long-time member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church and volunteered at the church often.
Donna loved to square dance, enjoyed camping, knitting, crocheting, bridge, and playing board games with her kids. Especially memorable were the family outings on Ottertail Lake.
Donna is survived by five children: Tom, Prior Lake, MN; Chris (Barb), Jamestown, ND; Pete (Roxane), Bertha, MN; Mary Block, St. Paul, MN; and Ann (Bassam) Abukhodair, Hermantown, MN. Grandchildren who survive Donna include Ben and Annie Mikkelson; Melissa, Chastity and Ryan Mikkelson; Nathan (Stacy) Payne, Jeremy (MaKayla) Payne, Cora Mikkelson Emily (Shawn) Nelson, Deanna Mikkelson; Katie and Sophie Block; Samir, Zac, Isak, and Lyla Abukhodair.
In addition to her parents, Donna is preceded in death by her husband Tom; a stillborn son; and a great grandchild, Chevelle.
Visitation: 5 - 7 PM, Friday, November 4, 2011, with a prayer service at 6:30 PM, in Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls.
Mass of Christian Burial: 11 AM, Saturday, November 5, 2011, in Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, Fergus Falls, with visitation from 10 - 11 AM at church.
Burial: St. Otto's Catholic Cemetery, Fergus Falls
Officiating: Father Greg Paffel
The Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls is in charge of the arrangements.
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