Donna Mae Friedlein, 90, of Willmar, entered her heavenly home on Wednesday, January 12th. Her Celebration of Life service will be Saturday, February 12th at 11:00 am at Salem Covenant Church, rural Pennock, with interment in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 pm, Friday, February 11th at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar, and continue one hour prior to the service at the church. www.hafh.org.
Donna was born March 29, 1931, in Pennock, the daughter of Chester and Mae (Carlson) Magnuson. She grew up on the farm and graduated from Willmar High School in 1949.
On September 16, 1950, Donna was united in marriage to Donald Friedlein at Salem Covenant Church. In October of 1950, Don entered the United States Army and they lived at Camp Carson in Colorado Springs, CO. When Don was sent to Alaska, Donna remained in Colorado until Don was discharged in 1952.
Upon his return, they lived in Kerkhoven and Pennock before moving to Willmar. Donna was employed by Kerkhoven schools, and then as a bookkeeper for Youth for Christ for over 40 years.
One of the many gifts God gave her was the gift of hospitality! She was always busy in the kitchen making something for her family, friends in need, or when someone would stop by! Even in her last weeks of life, she would offer coffee when someone came to visit! Donna and Don had huge hearts for kids and their impact was far-reaching. They volunteered as youth leaders at Salem Covenant Church. Donna was also involved in the choir, Covenant Women, and served as a Deaconess, SS Teacher, and in the Prayer ministry. According to her boys, she seemed to be at the church whenever the doors were open, and was one of the last people to leave (to the chagrin of her boys.)
Surviving are her sons, Brian (Linda) Friedlein of Willmar, Brad (Terry) Friedlein of Forest Lake; four grandchildren: Lucas (Katelyn) Friedlein, Jordan Friedlein, Nicole Friedlein and Grant (fiancée, Hope Achtelik) Friedlein; Great Granddaughter Elwyn Friedlein; brother, John (Doreen) Magnuson of Willmar and brother, Dan (Shirley) Magnuson of Hamel, as well as many loved relatives, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Donald, on August 9, 2018, and sister and brother-in-law Mavis (Kenny) Danielson.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Donna M. (Magnuson) Friedlein, please visit our floral store.