LaDonna Jane Cofer Burr

LaDonna came from humble beginnings and worked hard to make her way in the world. As a child, she was always joyful even when fighting serious illness. Her family and friends started calling her Happy and it stuck, later shortened to Hap. Most of her family only knew her as Hap. For LaDonna anything could be achieved through belief and hard work. She grew up in Waite Park, Minnesota and graduated from Saint Cloud Tech High School in 1948. One of her most cherished memories was seeing her favorite singer, Nat King Cole in concert in 1948.

After graduating from high school, LaDonna moved to Paynesville, Minnesota to work at the Nehring Locker Plant. She met Eugene “Crab” Burr in Paynesville, and they married on September 16, 1950 in Waite Park, Minnesota. LaDonna and Eugene had a strong desire to be parents and so they decided to bring foster children into their lives, Donald Shultz and Susan Shultz Vanort.

On September 21, 1968, LaDonna gave birth to Mara Martha Burr in Paynesville, Minnesota. LaDonna and Eugene were thrilled to have a child after 18 years of trying and doted on their daughter.

LaDonna worked at Northern States Power until she was offered a position at the Paynesville School District, working for the Principal and Superintendent of Schools. She was responsible for the payroll for the school district and was passionate about making sure each payroll was correct – to the penny. She took her responsibility very seriously because everyone needed to be paid on time and the right amount. LaDonna retired in 1986 after 33 years of service.

LaDonna was passionate about many things, her Christian faith and commitment to the United Methodist Church, her love of her country, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion Auxiliary (where she held leadership positions), her community and dogs of every shape and size.

She loved sports and cheered for all the Minnesota sports teams, but she absolutely adored the Minnesota Vikings, a passion she shared with her family. Not only did she cheer for the Vikings she was a proud supporter of the Vikings Children’s Fund and charities. LaDonna loved the Washington Mystics of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and was so thrilled when they won the WNBA Championship in 2019.

LaDonna was close to her many friends and loved ones, she often wrote cards, letters and called to stay in touch. She never forgot a birthday or a special anniversary and made sure everyone knew how much she cared about them. In 1996 LaDonna moved to Arlington, Virginia to be with her daughter Mara as she embarked on a career in international law. She lived in Arlington, McLean and Alexandria, Virginia during her later years.

In 2017, LaDonna had a fall and broke her pelvis. Her recovery was a tough struggle, but she worked her way back to a strong and independent life. After breaking her hip in April 2022, she faced another tough recovery and was able to return home after two and a half months in a skilled nursing facility. She passed away peacefully at home with her family and her two puppies, Sadie and Oliver.

LaDonna was a trailblazer, role model and mentor for so many people, she will be missed dearly by her family, especially her daughter Mara. LaDonna is at peace and looking down on us with that special smile that just lets you know that she loves you and wants you to be happy.

LaDonna Burr is survived by her daughter Mara Martha Burr, Marta Maria Prado, her foster children Donald Shultz and Susan Shultz Vanort, and her canine grandchildren, Sadie and Oliver, her sister-in-law Janet Cofer, her nieces Jeryl “Babe” Merten Michaels, Julie Ledeboer, Jeanne Knake, nephew Jim Cofer and many, many cousins. She is preceded in death by her husband Eugene Denis Burr, her parents, Harold E. Cofer and Madeline Gilmer Cofer, her aunts and uncles, her sister Betty Merten, her brother Neil Cofer, and her nephew Joel Cofer.

Her celebration of life and resurrection service will be held on Friday, October 14 at 11am at the Del Ray United Methodist Church and another celebration will follow in Paynesville, Minnesota later in October 2022.

In lieu of flowers, LaDonna would like any memorials to be given to Homeward Trails Animal Rescue or the American Heart Association.