Donna Marie Force

Donna (Marie) Force, 93, of Benson, died on Saturday night, June 12, 2021, at Scandi Haven Village under hospice care. A funeral service will be held on June 28 ^th , 10:00 AM visitation, 11:00 AM Funeral service with lunch afterward at Pilgrim Congregational Church. You can join the livestream of her memorial service by accessing the Zniewski Funeral Home facebook page.

Donna was born on September 25, 1927 in Willmar, MN to William A. and Frances E. (Berglund) Nelson. She was baptized at the First Methodist Church in Willmar, and spent the next 18 years of her life as a member of that same church. She graduated from Willmar High School with the class of 1945. For 30 months she waited for her Marine to return from WWII.

On June 15, 1946, she married her high school sweetheart, Burle Force. They were fortunate to spend over 64 years of marriage together. Burle passed away August 19, 2010.

Donna worked various jobs during her lifetime including Brown and Bigelow, Athletic office at Hamline University, a correspondent for West Central Tribune covering Benson news, First State Bank of Benson, Conservation office, Parkview Manor secretary and the Benson Chamber of Commerce secretary.

After retirement she and Burle opened an antique business (Donna’s Cupboard) outside of their home.

For 17 years they wintered in Texas, enjoying their two favorite past times – antiquing and golfing. Donna was a life-long member of the Benson Golf Club, she sang with the Choraliers singing group, she was a member of Mrs. Jaycees, and was an active member of Pilgrim Congregational Church. Donna had a beautiful voice in the choir and was known to sing solos and also duets with her husband.

Donna loved to entertain family and friends and was a real gourmet cook. Throughout the years, Donna was always helping a sick neighbor or visiting folks at the hospital or nursing home. She also knit baby caps for the hospital.

Donna is survived by her three children, Cheri (Dennis) Cleland of Aurora, Colorado, Patti (Doug) Bangsund of Benson and Brad (Lorene) Force of Annandale, MN. She is also survived by five grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Ashley (Andy) DeLassus, Maddie and CeCe; Aaron Bangsund, Avery, and Aidan; Alison (Greg) Turner, Sydney, Reese, and Carson; Chad (Analisa) Cleland, Sam, Natalie and Sophie; and Shauna (Marcus) Fidler, Joe and Katie. She is survived by one sister Shirley (Jim Harris) Hutton of San Francisco, CA and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceeded in death by her parents and her husband. Donna loved her family and enjoyed spending many special times with them in Minnesota and Colorado. Donna and Burle showed to all of their family what it meant to truly be a couple dedicated to each other. Blessed be her memory.