Donna Mae (Fennell) Gode was born May 15, 1943 at the Swift County Benson Hospital in Benson, Minnesota, to Joe and Eleanor (Bouta) Fennell. Donna was baptized, made her First Communion, and was confirmed at St. Malachy Catholic Church in Clontarf, MN. Donna grew up on a farm northeast of Clontarf and attended Clontarf Elementary School and graduated from Benson High School in 1961. On December 23, 1961, Donna was united in marriage to Kenneth Gode at the St. Malachy Rectory in Clontarf by Father Richard King. This union was blessed with more than 53 years of marriage and four children. They resided in Rantoul, IL until 1963. They moved back to Clontarf and built their house in 1966, where they've lived since. Donna worked at Standard Lumber Company in Benson and later became a bookkeeper for the Benson Public Schools until her retirement in 1999. After retiring, Donna and Ken were able to take several Rustad tours including trips to Alaska, Hawaii, New Orleans, Arizona, Branson, MO, and Mackinac Island, MI. Donna was a member of the St. Malachy Altar and Rosary, Clontarf Centennial Committee, a board member for the Swift County DAC, council member for the city of Clontarf, and wrote clues for the Kid Day Medallion Hunt for many years. Donna enjoyed reading, going to the casino with her sister, shopping and going out to eat with her daughters, making crafts for the Ken-Do Craft Shop, and spending time with her family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Donna Gode is survived by her husband, Kenneth Gode; children: Carol (Tom) Staton, Brad (Sharon) Gode, Lori (Marc) Yanish, all of Clontarf, and Joseph Gode of Willmar; 8 grandchildren: Brent, Amanda, Luke & Molly Staton, LaKeshia and Andrew Fath, Kelly Wedel, and Jarett Yanish; 3 great-grandchildren: Baylee Staton, James Mast and Emma Crow. Donna is also survived by her 2 brothers, Robert (Char) Fennell of Benson and Merle (Arla) Fennell of Cyrus, MN; and 1 sister, Marilyn Dorschner of Kasson, MN. She is also survived by 3 sisters-in-law: Joan (Don) Wacha of Blaine, MN, Jean (ElRoy) Honl of North Oaks, MN, and Elaine (Roger) Erickson of Lake Lillian, MN; and many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Eleanor Fennell, and an infant sister, Catherine Fennell.
