Donna Brown, age 80, of Dawson, Minnesota, died on Thursday, February 10, 2022, at the Johnson Memorial Care Center in Dawson. Memorial Services are 1:00 p.m. Friday, February 25, 2022, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall.
Donna Lee Engler was one of thirteen children born to Edwin and Violet (Rummens) Engler. She was born in on February 23, 1941, in Slayton, Minnesota, and was raised on the family farm just outside of Curry, Minnesota. Donna was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith as a child and attended county school until the eighth grade. After grade school, Donna started helping her parents and siblings on the family farm. On June 6, 1959, Donna was married to the love of her life, Virgil Brown. To this union 2 children were born: their son, Donald, in 1961 and daughter, Shelly, in 1964. The couple made their home mainly in the Wood Lake area but did spend a memorable 9 years in Montana. Donna briefly worked for the Campbell Soup Company but found her joy staying at home and raising her family. Donna and Virgil often bonded together while doing many of their shared hobbies. Their favorite hobbies were creating woodworking crafts, traveling near and far to farm and home shows, and enjoying the nice weather while fishing on the local lakes. Donna and Virgil were married for 55 years before Virgil’s passing in 2014.
Donna Brown died on Thursday, February 10, 2022, at the Johnson Memorial Care Center in Dawson. She reached the age of 80 years, 11 months, and 18 days. Blessed be her memory.
Donna is survived by her son, Don Brown, of Dawson with step-grandson, Brandon (and Shirley) Hoium of Shakopee; daughter, Shelly (and Ronald) Girard of Fort Walton Beach, FL, with their 3 daughters, Alanna (and Chris) Menego of Colorado Springs, Alexis (and Jen) Girard of Minneapolis, and Andrea Girard (and Kyle Norton) of Hopkins; 10 siblings; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Edwin and Violet Engler; husband, Virgil Brown; two siblings; and two brothers-in-law.
