Donna Hustad, 82

Marie Donna Jean Hustad, 82, Alexandria, died January 27, 2012 in Tucson, Arizona.

Donna was born December 7, 1929 to Anna (Nielson) and Thomas Owens in Crookston. She was raised on a farm west of Crookston along with two older sisters, two younger sisters and a younger brother. Her elementary education was in a one-room school house. She graduated as valedictorian of her high school class of 110 in 1947. Her family attended the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in Crookston, where she was baptized and confirmed.

Donna attended Concordia College and Moorhead State, earning a teaching certificate. She taught for two years in Redwood Falls and then moved to Alexandria to teach fourth grade at Washington Elementary School. While there, she met Donald Hustad and they were married in the fall of 1952. In 1957, after having two children, she entered a pageant and was crowned Mrs. Minnesota.She was the mother of three sons, Kent, Steven and Thomas, and a daughter, Cynthia. Her children were encouraged to be good students, play a string instrument and take piano lessons.

First Lutheran Church was the family's church home; later in life she and Don joined Zion Lutheran Church. Mount Carmel has been a special place for summer worship and other activities for the past 40 years. She enjoyed gardening, playing the piano, listening to classical music, reading books and participating in Bible studies, traveling, cooking, and entertaining friends and family. For approximately 10 years, she traveled in the Midwest and Arizona, giving speeches to church groups, Christian Women Ministries and Stonecroft Ministries. Following Don's retirement in 1990, they began spending their winter months in Tucson, Arizona. They were in Arizona in 1997 when she suffered a severe stroke that took away most of her speech, her ability to read and to write. Her smile and determination never left her and for 15 years she was an inspiration to everyone she met.

Donna had six grandchildren, 13 nieces and 16 nephews.

She was predeceased by her son, Steven (1967); mother, Anna (1975); father, Thomas (1989); and sister, Carole (2003).

Donna is survived by her husband of 59 years, Donald; and their three children, Kent (Julie) Hustad and daughter Erin; Cynthia (Kraig Stube) Hustad and daughters Erika and Annalise; and Thomas (Carolyn) Hustad and son Adam, daughter Stephanie and son Ryan.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, February 7 at Mount Carmel Chapel in Alexandria with Pastor Johann Hinderlie and Pastor Jim Bjorge officiating. Music was provided by the Mount Carmel Trio of Sonja Hinderlie, Kay Hoffland and Jane Schuneman and a solo was performed by Carol Bjorge. Interment was at Kinkead Cemetery in Alexandria with Donna’s nephews serving as pallbearers.

Memorials may be made in Donna’s name to Mount Carmel Ministries, Zion Lutheran Church, or the church of your choice.

Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria; www.andersonfuneral.net.

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