La Donna June Wilson

La Donna June (Van Norman) Wilson, 87, passed away peacefully on January 30, 2017 at Essentia Health-St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth, MN. She was born on June 13, 1929 in Windom, MN to Fred and Loretta (Bare) Van Norman. She attended Windom Public Schools and graduated from Mankato Teachers College. On July 21, 1951, she was married to Harold A. Wilson. They lived in Hayfield, Mantorville, Rochester and Eyota in the subsequent years. In November, La Donna moved to Duluth to be closer to family. La Donna and Harold were the proud parents of four children, Gary, Kim, Lynn and Sue. La Donna was an active member of Faith United Methodist Church in Eyota. She was a reliable volunteer with Red Cross for 25 years, (15 of which were as a disaster volunteer and brought them to places such as Puerto Rico and Guam as well as areas in the U.S.) She volunteered with Methodist Hospital Auxiliary, YMCA Y-Tots, and worked as a substitute teacher at Bethany Nursery School. She loved sewing quilts for her family and Bundles of Love, reading, baking cookies and playing games. She was very active in helping maintain the historic Lenora United Methodist Church, which had a special place in her heart. She was a wonderful grandmother to her seven grandchildren and all the Faith Church confirmation youth. She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years. Survivors include son Gary Wilson of Phoenix, daughters Kim (Steve) Squillace and Lynn (Dennis) Kiesel of Duluth, and Sue (Mitch) Buckland of Crystal; grandchildren Sean Wilson, Tai Wilson, Jesse Wilson, Kierra Wilson, Laura Squillace, Tony Squillace, Alex Buckland; sister Dorothy Van Norman, brother George (Doris) Van Norman, cousins Willis (Irene) Van Norman, Deanna Kjeldahl, and many others. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, always providing unconditional love and support to all. Our lives were better for having known and loved this remarkably kind, gentle and loving woman. She will be sadly missed. The family would like to thank the staff at St. Mary's and Edgewood Assisted Living for their kind and excellent care of La Donna. We will celebrate La Donna's life at Faith United Methodist Church in Eyota, with Pastor Mark Woodward officiating, on June 3 at 11:00 am with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Lenora Church, Faith UMC, or Paws and Claws Humane Society. Online condolences are welcome and may be written at mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.