Donna Jenkins

Donna Marie Jenkins of Eagle Bend, formerly of Stevens County, was born on October 30, 1944 to Elmer and Irene (Long) Thompson in Hoffman, MN.. She passed away on May 29, 2009 at home, at the age of 64 years. Donna attended country schools through 4th grade. She then went to Barret School through 6th grade. Her family then moved to Hoffman where she graduated in 1962. Donna was one of ten children in which she was the 6th oldest. She helped care for several siblings while her mother worked outside of the home. She also cared for several siblings during the final stages of their terminal illnesses. Donna was united in marriage with Ernest Hagen in Lands Lutheran Church on April 27, 1963 and they resided in Cyrus. Donna worked at the Morris Super Value for 6 years. Ernie and Donna bought the Cyrus Café in 1968 and owned that until Ernie passed away in 1972. She married David Jenkins on December 22, 1973 in Wadena. They lived on a farm in Osakis until 1978, when they bought their current farm in Eagle Bend. They farmed and milked cows until 1988 when they downsized to a hobby farm and Donna continued being a homemaker. Her hobbies included gardening, crafting, painting, crocheting, bird watching, old time music, dancing polkas, waltzes, hunting, fishing, bowling, and tearing things apart. As a youth she sang in the church choir. She was a member of the VFW Women’s Auxiliary in Eagle Bend, and was on the Eagle Bend Bowling League for 12 years. Donna enjoyed being a grandmother to six grandchildren. She loved to garden with them, play cards, games, and watch them enjoy the farm animals, and as they enjoyed the outdoors. The grandchildren will remember family get-togethers at the farm, fireworks on the Fourth of July, family reunions, fishing, and hunting. Donna was a very kind-hearted and giving person. She touched many lives and will be dearly missed by all. Donna was preceded in death by her first husband, Ernest; parents, Irene Iverson and Elmer Thompson, brothers, Harvey, Kenny, Earl, and Lyle; sisters, Joyce, Marion, Adeline, and Harriett; and 2 nephews. She is survived by her husband, David Jenkins; sons, Doyle Hagen of Long Prairie, and Sterling of Swanville; daughter, Katrina of Eagle Bend; grandchildren, Hailey, Lauren, Ashley, Tori, Maverick, and Tate; sister, Esther Wevley of Morris; nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews; and extended family and friends. Funeral services were held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, June 2, 2009 in the Faith Lutheran Church in Eagle Bend with Pastors Cordell and Mary Carol Strug officiating. Honorary pallbearer was Leroy Kaehler. Pallbearers were Ronald Hagen, Leonard Noel, Randy Nelson, Kurt Wevley, Dennis Helchert, and Chris Thompson.

Donna Jenkins

October 30, 1944 - May 29, 2009