Donna Mae Mikkelson

Donna Mae Mikkelson, 93, of Benson, passed away on Thursday morning, December 3, at the Meadow Lane Care Center. A private family service will be held at Frank Lake Covenant Church with interment in the Benson City Cemetery.

Donna Mae Mikkelson was born on May 31, 1927 in Benson, Minnesota to Oscar and Julia (Ronholdt) Rice. Donna was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith. Donna attended Murdock school and later their family moved to Benson where she attended Benson Public School.  Donna worked for a short while at the Benson Hatchery.  Soon after graduating high school, she was united in marriage to Richard Mikkelson on June 28, 1947 in the Sunburg Church Parsonage.  After their marriage, Donna spent many years helping Richard farm and raising their family. She was called from this life on Thursday, December 3, 2020.

Donna was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.  Growing up, Donna was a member of Spring Creek Lutheran Church and Frank Lake Covenant.  Later she was a member of Lake Hazel Lutheran Church until it closed and then joined Our Redeemers Church in Benson, Minnesota.  She actively served in her church and participated in activities such as ladies aid, circle, Smorgasbord, and was a Sunday School teacher for many years.  Donna also belonged to the Sons of Norway and enjoyed playing cards, farkel, and traveling with Richard.  Donna was her grandchildren’s #1 fan attending their sporting events and music concerts.  She cherished each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was also an avid Twins and Vikings fan!  Donna enjoyed living at Lake Scandi during the summer and there, with family and friends, they made many happy memories.  There was love in everything she did!

Donna is survived by four children:  Robert (Kay Howard), Julie (Jeff) Arnold, Debbie Mikkelson, and Randy (Michelle).  Ten grandchildren:  Zachary Tucker of Benson;  Jennamae (Caleb) Dogotch of Sartell and their children Lilymae and Kennedy;  Jonathan (Danielle) Mikkelson of Willmar and their children Quinn, Mikko, and Cora;  Laura (Aaron) Soderlund of Hermantown and their children Mila, Brecken, and Eden; Tanner Mikkelson of Fargo, North Dakota; Kyle Mikkelson of Benson; Keri Mikkelson Frank of Circle Pines;  Natalie Mikkelson of  St. Louis Park; Jesse (Julie) Arnold of Edina and their children Henry and Asher; and Bobbi Jo (Tyler Sack) Arnold of Morris and their children Chaeli Zahl and Keagan Zahl; nieces and nephews; and several other relatives and friends.  Blessed be her memory.

Donna was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, her parents Oscar & Julia Rice, her father-in-law and mother-in-law Sivert and Gert Mikkelson, and brothers Ginter, Ozzie, Donald, and sisters Adora, Doddie, and Verone (Ronnie) and her brother-in-law Roger Mikkelson. Blessed be her memory.