Donna Hogseth

VISITATION:

4-7 p.m., Friday, September 13 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel and from 10-11 a.m. Saturday at Central Lutheran Church 28 E. Columbia St., Chippewa Falls.

SERVICE:

11 a.m., Saturday, September 14 at Central Lutheran Church, 28 E. Columbia St., Chippewa Falls.

She now lives on, forever, in the hearts and minds of the many people who were fortunate to know and love her.

Donna Jean Hogseth, of Chippewa Falls, passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, September 10, at the age of 57. She was at home, under the care of her husband, with the help of St. Josephs Hospice. She left this life during a love-filled 24-hour vigil by her children Paul, Scott and Anne, sister, Mary and husband Bob. Following her sudden ovarian cancer diagnosis in October, 2012, she bravely fought this aggressive disease the same way she lived her entire life, full of determination and optimism. She faced death with grace and dignity, comforted by her strong Christian faith and the love of her family and many friends.

Donna (Nelson) was born on April 23, 1956 in Decorah, Iowa. She was the third of four children born to Clarence and Elizabeth (Hillesland) Nelson. She was raised in Mason City, Iowa, where she attended elementary schools and graduated from Mason City High School. After graduation, she ventured to Minneapolis and was an executive secretary at Northwestern National Life Insurance Company. It was there that she met and began dating fellow employee Bob Hogseth. That was the beginning of a wonderful 39 year journey together. They quickly fell in love, and exactly one year from their first date, were married on September 27, 1975, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mason City. They bought a home in Bloomington, MN. Donna worked at Northwest Bancorp in Minneapolis, before moving to Stevens Point, WI in 1977. Donna was a legal assistant at a local law firm, and then worked at Sentry Insurance headquarters as assistant to the Executive Vice President. On March 17, 1979,the day her first child was born, she happily began her new career as a full-time mother and homemaker. She thoroughly enjoyed raising Paul, Scott and Anne and was thankful for the opportunity to be a stay-at-home Mom. In 1984, Donna and Bob moved to Chippewa Falls and into the new home they built on Lake Wissota, where they have enjoyed living for the past 29 years. Donna was very active as a volunteer at her childrens schools, and chaperoned many student activities. When her children began to leave home for college, she once again began using her many professional skillsas the office manager for her husbands business, a position she held for the past 15 years.

Donna had a variety of hobbies and passions. She was a devoted Mom and wife, and loved spending time with her family. She was thrilled to be blessed with grandchildren, and relished her recently new role as Grandma. (Natalie was born on Donnas birthday.) She was an excellent cook, loved to bake, sew, knit, crochet and make quilts. Her home repair and technology skills were impressive. Donna had fun with her 100% Norwegian heritage,decorating her home with Scandinavian artwork, and making sure her family always attended the annual July Nordic Fest in Decorah. Antique shopping was a joy. She loved to golf (she could hit that driver!), and play cards, especially 500. She enjoyed boating, slowly cruising the shorelines of Lake Wissota with Bob, family and friends. She was a talented dancer. She was an avidmovie-goer, and had to include popcorn. Donna and Bob loved to travel. Annual family vacations included exploring 49 states and taking several trips abroad. Among her favorite trips were recent visits to Norway, and the Holy Lands of Israel & Palestine. In the U.S., she was a fan of frequent trips to National Parks and Disney World. She loved the community of Chippewa Falls, and generously supported many local non-profit organizations over the past 29 years. She and Bob are Founders Society members of the Community Foundation of Chippewa County. Through the Foundation, they established a permanent endowment in 2008, the Donna & Bob Hogseth Family Falls Youth Fund, to support Chippewa Falls area youth organizations, in perpetuity. Donna was a longtime, active member of Central Lutheran Church, the PEO Sisterhood, the Chippewa Falls Elk Ladies golf league and card club, and was past Board Chair of the Cook-Rutledge Mansion.

Donna is survived by her best friend and soul-mate husband Bob, her son Paul , daughter-in-law Tara, and grand-daughters Adrienne & Natalie Hogseth, all of Mt. Horeb, WI, ; her son Scott Hogseth, of Madison, WI; her daughter Anne and son-in-law Brian Buell, of Denver, CO; her mother, Elizabeth Nelson of Decorah, IA; her sister Nancy and her husband Dale Johnson of Decorah, IA; her sister Mary and her husband Michael Wall of Mesa, AZ; her brother Jim Nelson and his wife Mindy of Cottage Grove, MN : her brother-in-law John Hogseth and his wife Jane of Centerville, OH; her sister-in-law Mary Aasterud of Richardson, TX; her brother-in-law Steve Hogseth and his wife Jeanne of Kanab, UT; her brother-in-law Mark Hogseth and his wife Marilyn of Monona, WI ; her Uncle Vern and Aunt Jean Hillesland of Decorah, IA, and their daughters Wendy and Betsy, her Uncle Curt and Aunt Carolyn Nelson of Florida; and many cousins. She was Aunt Donna to Keri, Heather, Cory, Greg, Sarah, Mike;Corinne, Suzanne, Jennifer, Erik, Valerie, Bill, Michael and Minda, and their families.

She is also survived by many dear friends who were extremely kind and loving before and during her battle with cancer, including Marilyn & Les Harrison, Peggy & George Fleming, Jacque & Dan Daniel and Kelly & Sharon Karrmann. They represent dozens more, too many to mention. The continual outpouring of prayers, cards, flowers, gifts, food and visits from so many people was truly amazing. Her PEO sisters and Elk card club/golf league friends were remarkable with their daily display of love and support throughout the past several months. Donna was so appreciative and comforted, and her family will be forever grateful to all of you. The family would also like to thank the Sacred Heart Hospital Oncology staff, Dr. Delmastro and St Josephs Hospice team for their compassionate care.

Donna was preceded in death by her father, Clarence Nelson,her brother-in-law, Jon Aasterud, her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Walter and Vera Hogseth, and her grandparents, Mabel and CarlNelson and Ella and Andrew Hillesland.

Donna was taken way too soon, but her soul remains and her spirit will be kept alive through the love, values, traditions and many precious memories she left with us. She will be remembered as a genuinely kind, caring, thoughtful and loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend. She was truly a beautiful woman, in every way. Many will dearly miss her smile,giggle,laughter, wit, wisdom, big heart and those sparkling blue eyes (inherited by her grand-daughters). Her immediate family will also miss her cheerful Hi Honey greetings, hugs and kisses. Donna was fond of angel pins and angel figurines. What a beautiful angel Heaven has gained!

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, September 14, at 11:00 a.m., at Central Lutheran Church, 28 E. Columbia Street, in Chippewa Falls. Interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Chippewa Falls.

Visitation will be held this Friday, September 13 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, in Chippewa Falls,and from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. prior to the memorial service, Saturday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, Donnas family prefers memorials be given to The Community Foundation of Chippewa County, P.O. Box 153, Chippewa Falls, 54729, Friends of St Josephs Hospital, Chippewa Falls, or the Cook-Rutledge Mansion maintenance fund, Chippewa Falls.

Afterservice:

A funeral service for Donna J. Hogseth, 57, of Chippewa Falls, was held on Saturday, September 14 at Central Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls. Pastors Craig Mansur, Matt Lukowitz and Dave Whelan officiated the service with music provided by organist, Judy Brist and vocalist, Amanda Tanzer.

Interment was at Forest Hill Cemetery in Chippewa Falls and casket bearers were Les and Marilyn Harrison, George and Peggy Fleming, Kelly and Sharon Karrmann, Dan and Jacque Daniel.