Donna Mae Kruse

DONNA MAE KRUSE was born on December 15, 1944 to Donald Marvin and Lena (Venenga) Lamfers in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She lived with her family in Ashton, Iowa and attended elementary school there. After the school in Ashton closed, she continued her education in Sheldon, Iowa, graduating in 1963. On March 15, 1964, Donna eloped with Robert Kruse, marrying in Augusta, Georgia at Fort Gordon, where Robert was stationed. Donna and Robert’s union was blessed with five children. Following their marriage, the couple moved to various farms in Iowa and Minnesota before settling on a farm near Edgerton, Minnesota. In 1984, the family moved in to Pipestone, Minnesota. Once they lived in town, Donna put her compassionate nature to good use by working as a certified nursing assistant in the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone. She then continued to care for others at the Pipestone County Medical Center, the Mary Jane Brown Home in Luverne, Minnesota, and then at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne. Donna retired in September of 2000. Following her retirement, Donna put her time into crafting, spending time with her friends, and devoting herself to her family. Due to failing health, Donna was placed in the Pipestone County Hospice House on Friday, September 6, 2019. She remained there, where she died peacefully while surrounded by her family on Sunday, September 8, 2019 at the age of 74 years, eight months, and 24 days.

Donna was a member of Faith Community Church in Pipestone and absolutely adored her church and its members. Along with her devotion to church, Donna was a proud Democrat and attended many DFL conferences in Rochester, Minnesota. She enjoyed collecting anything chicken themed to decorate her kitchen with and collected various antiques. For many years she also enjoyed riding the Pipestone Wagon Train. Donna was also an artistic individual that loved crafting and creating art pieces by burning pictures into wood, entering them into the county fair and receiving multiple ribbons. Above all else, Donna loved the time that she spent with her friends and family members. One thing her children will never forget is the many family vacations they went on, including: the Black Hills in South Dakota, Glacier Park in Montana, Duluth, Minnesota, Canada, and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. Donna always found a way to make the trips memorable, whether it be her skills in packing the trunk of the family vehicle or scolding her children for bringing unnecessary items with. After Donna became a grandmother, she devoted her love and her attention to them, bringing them with her junking and rummaging, living by the motto “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.” She also loved gardening with her grandchildren, returning them to their parents covered in mud from a day of planting. Along with her family, Donna loved spending time with her friends, whether it be having coffee at McDonald’s or swimming at the Ewert Community Recreation Center.

She is lovingly remembered by her children, Becky (Keven) Faaborg of Ward, South Dakota, Linette (Jeff) Eischens of Pipestone, Shelly (John) Haack of Jasper, Minnesota, Robert Kruse of Pipestone, and Debra VanSurksum of Pipestone; her grandchildren, Christy (Zach) Norgaard, Bryan (Jessica) Faaborg, Brandon (Jennifer) Faaborg, Heath (Shelby) Eischens, Lucas (Alyssa) Eischens, Alicia Haack, Madisen VanSurksum, and Abbi Haack; five great-grandchildren, Corbyn Faaborg, Camryn Faaborg, Abel Faaborg, Hoss Faaborg, and a baby girl on the way; three brothers, Dan (Mary) Lamfers of Larchwood, Iowa, Dave (Sandy) Lamfers of Sibley, Iowa, and Don (Helaine) Lamfers of Corsica, South Dakota; many nieces and nephews; and many other loving friends and family members. She was preceded in death by her parents and an infant brother.