Donna Dunlap, age 90, of Marshall, Minnesota, died at her home on Monday, March 13, 2023. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 18, 2023, at First Baptist Church in Marshall, Minnesota. Interment will follow in the Marshall Cemetery and then a reception for attendees will be held back at the church. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of her celebration at 11:00 a.m., also at the church. Please designate any memorials to First Baptist Church in Marshall. Arrangements by the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall.
Donna June Nelson was born on June 15, 1932, in Rose Hill Township, rural Westbrook, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Orlando and Victoria (Lind) Nelson. From age 2, she grew up living with her parents and siblings on Grandpa Stengel Nelson’s farm north of Westbrook. It was at Old Westbrook Lutheran Church as a young teenager that she asked the Lord Jesus into her life as her Savior. She graduated from Westbrook High School in 1950 and on New Year’s Eve of that same year she was baptized into the Baptist faith. All Navy leaves were cancelled due to the war in Korea, so she joined her fiancé, Lloyd Dunlap in San Diego, California where they were married on February 15, 1951. Donna did hospital and waitress work while she awaited Lloyd’s return from his overseas duty. Ever since she was a young girl, Donna dreamed of having a “Family of little boys” and that dream came true with the births of her three sons: David, Paul, and John. Donna worked as a secretary at Westbrook High School until Lloyd’s employment brought them to Marshall. Donna then became a secretary at Western Human Development Center (now Western Mental Health) for almost 30 years, retiring in 1997 at the age of 65. Donna loved it when family would come to visit, especially once grandchildren joined the family. She enjoyed making cookies and macaroni and cheese for them and other visitors. She had many hobbies including reading, writing cards and letters, having coffee with friends, listening to music, and volunteering in the lunchroom at the Marshall Area Christian School (now True Light Christian School). She was convinced she lived in the best neighborhood in Marshall. After Lloyd’s death in 2007 Donna steadfastly looked forward to the time when she would join him and their savior in heaven, the place Jesus promised in John 14: 1-6. Her hope was realized at her home on Monday, March 13, 2023, in Marshall, Minnesota. Donna’s earthly life spanned 90 years, 8 months, and 26 days. Blessed be her memory.
Donna is survived by her three sons, David Dunlap of Bloomington; Paul (Sue) Dunlap of Marshall; John (Jeri) Dunlap of Ladysmith, WI; 6 grandchildren, Rita (Jeremy) Goins of Lutz, FL, Roy Dunlap (Rebecca) of Richfield, Cale Dunlap (Elizabeth) of Sparks, NV, Carmen Dunlap of San Diego, CA, Eryn (Jeremy) Ische of West Union, IA, Alex Marie Dunlap of Marshall; 7 great-grandchildren, Luke Goins, Brooke Goins, Mason Dunlap, Nolan Dunlap, McKynlee Ische, Jett Ische, Wells Ische; brother-in-law, Dick Wyffels of Brooklyn Park; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Lloyd; parents, Orlando and Victoria Nelson; siblings, Carole Nelson (in infancy), Dale Nelson, Orleane Jensen, Joyce Jensen, and LeeAnn Wyffels.
