Donna Jean Seiler, age 85, of Marshall, Minnesota, passed away Sunday, December 14, 2014, at Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall. Memorial services are Thursday, December 18, 2014, 1:00 PM, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall, Minnesota. Private family interment will be in the Marshall City Cemetery. Visitation will be held from Noon – 1:00 PM, 1 hour prior to the service at the Hamilton Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at www.hamiltonfh.com.
Donna Jean Burckhardt was born on June 12, 1929, in Watertown, South Dakota. She was the daughter of Joe and Edna (Ristow) Burckhardt. She moved to Russell at an early age to help her mother care for her grandmother, Emilia. Donna graduated from the Russell High School, class of 1947. She went on to further her education at the Minneapolis Business School and then after raising her children attended the Pipestone Vo-Tec to become a Certified Nursing Assistant.
On May 26, 1951, Donna was united in marriage to Alvin Carl Seiler in Marshall. The couple made their home Camp Rucker in Alabama while Alvin was stationed there during the Korean Conflict. When Alvin was discharged, the couple settled on a farm near Arco and then in 1959 moved to a farm near Russell. Then in 1995, after retiring from farming they moved to Marshall. In 2013 Donna moved to Morningside Heights were she enjoyed the company and care of the staff. In addition to being a homemaker and farmer’s wife, Donna was a loving mother to four children: Colleen, Leland, Lorna, and Connie. After retiring, Donna worked as a home health aide and served in Hospice care programs.
Donna was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Russell and Albright United Methodist Church in Marshall. She was an active member of the Rachel’s circle in Russell and enjoyed Bible study at Morningside Heights. Her other enjoyments in life included music, playing the piano, bingo, sewing and crafting. Donna enjoyed interacting and helping with others in need.
Donna died peacefully in her sleep at the age of 85 years, 6 months and 2 days. Donna is survived by her children, Colleen Wohlman of Sioux Falls, SD, Leland Seiler of Tyler, MN, Lorna Seiler of Oakdale, MN, Connie Seiler of Burnsville, MN; 3 grandchildren, Rebecca Fritz and her husband, Patrick, of Dell Rapids, SD, Bobbie Hager and her husband, Daniel, of Medford, MN, Bradley Wohlman of Sioux Falls, SD; 5 great-grandchildren; sister, Monna Buesing of Russell; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Donna is preceded in death by her husband, Alvin Seiler; parents, Joe and Edna Burckhardt; nephew, Paul Buesing; brother-in-law, Arnold Buesing, sister-in-law and brother-in law Helen and Marvin Maronde.