Donna Mae Gjervold

DONNA MAE GJERVOLD

Donna Mae Gjervold was born February 11, 1934, in Norcross, MN, to Lester and Madge (Drexler) Carlson. Donna attended a country school in Norcross and graduated from High School in Elbow Lake, MN. She also attended Interstate Business College in Fargo, ND and was employed at Murphy Finance when she met and married Duane Rolland Gjervold.
They were joined in marriage October 15, 1960, in Norcross, MN and made their home in Dilworth, MN. They and their children subsequently lived in Minot, ND; Woodbury, MN; Sacramento, CA; Hastings, MN; Omaha, NE; Mankato, MN; and finally retired on Lake Geneva in Alexandria, MN. Donna was proud to be a homemaker, and always put her family first. She was there to welcome her children and husband home at the end of the day with a big hug and a kiss. She loved to cook for her family and friends, and enjoyed using lots of butter, sugar, and salt. Donna loved to socialize with family and friends, enjoying holidays, or special times at the lake, or the Holiday Inn, where laughter was always present. She had a strong faith instilled at an early age, appreciated life and love, and was always humbly grateful. She and Duane enjoyed lots of travel in their retirement together before she was afflicted with Alzheimer's Disease. She was an inspiration to all who supported her during this difficult journey, as she maintained her wit and humor through difficult times, and was always the sweet, loving, and a giving woman at heart, even to the end.
Donna passed away on Friday, June 25, 2010, at Susie's Place in Hayfield, MN at the age of 76, 13 years following her diagnosis. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Duane. Donna is survived by her sister, Marlene Vogel of Morris, MN; brothers, Ralph and Mary Carlson, Elbow Lake, MN; Lynn and Robin Carlson, Cross Lake, MN; three children, Phillip and Debbie Gjervold of Eden Prairie, MN; Peter and Jayne Gjervold of Maple Grove, MN; and Wendy and Scott Moon of Rochester, MN. She leaves behind 6 grandchildren, Thomas, Matthew, Nichole, Alyssa Gjervold, and Jenna and Jordan Moon.
A memorial service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hayfield, MN on Tuesday, June 29th, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. A service will be held in Alexandria at a later date in July, to be determined. Inurnment will follow in Geneva Cemetery, Alexandria. Honorary pallbearers are her grandchildren. Family prefers memorials to Mayo Clinic Alzheimers Research Center. Czaplewski Family Funeral Home in Hayfield assisted with arrangements.
Blessed be her memory.