LaDonna Marilyn (Olson) Hawkins

LaDonna Marilyn (Olson) Hawkins, 89, of St. Peter, MN, died Monday, April 17, 2017, at Ecumen Prairie Hill.  She passed away peacefully by a sunny window with family at her side. 

LaDonna was born to Gladys and A. Jureen Olson on February 27, 1928 near Ostrander, MN.  She lived most of her life in LeRoy, MN until relocating to St. Peter, MN in 2012 to live near her daughter and family.  She graduated from LeRoy High School and then attended Luther College in Decorah, IA to study bookkeeping and accounting.  She worked at Eckstein Radio and Television for 3 years, and Martz Furniture Store for 38 years.  LaDonna married Grant, the love of her life, in 1950 and they had two daughters, Jan and JoAnn.

LaDonna was a “busy bee”.  She was an active member of the LeRoy Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday School, was a member of the Esther Circle, sang in the choir and participated in the Marriage Encounter group.  She was a member of the Sigma Alpha Pi sorority at Luther College, and returned to Decorah for college homecomings for many years.  She loved her many artistic pursuits, including calligraphy, water color painting, rosemaling, paper and card-making and origami.  She was a meticulous seamstress, and knitted, crocheted and made hardanger embroidery.  She was a member of the Colleagues of Calligraphy and attended frequent meetings and conventions with this group.  She was a member of the Austin Art Center, and spent many hours volunteering there.  She enjoyed decorating and entertaining for the holidays.  She enjoyed boating and snowmobiling with her family.  She loved to shop and she loved to eat.  And most of all, she loved to travel to exciting and exotic locations with her husband and friends.  Her message to others is “Hang loose and enjoy life.  And whatever you do, if it is worth doing, do your best.”

LaDonna was preceded in death by her parents and husband, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.  She is survived by daughters JoAnn Frey-Hawkins (Randy) of St. Peter, MN; Jan Hawkins (Kelvin Walker) of San Jose, CA.; grandchildren Noah, Brett and Hannah Frey-Hawkins; and many cousins and friends.

A special thank you to the staff of Ecumen Prairie Hill and the St. Croix Hospice team for providing such loving care to LaDonna during the final leg of her life journey. 

Please direct all memorials in Ladonna’s honor to the following: The LeRoy Lutheran Church, LeRoy Senior Center, LeRoy Library; or in St. Peter/Mankato, Ecumen Prairie Hill or the St. Croix Hospice.

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