I was about 8 years old & my parents couldn't afford to buy a gift for everyone in our family. I will never forget the day when Mrs. A delivered the most presents any child could ask for to our house before Christmas. But truly, the greatest gift of all was having her in our lives. And I will always remember the warmth of her smile, especially during these holiday seasons.

With love and respect.

I just learned about the passing of "Mrs. Asleson".  She was my 4th grade teacher in Hector and I have such fond memories of her.  I particularly remember on Tuesdays I had piano lessons with Corrine Hable during our lunch hour and when I returned from my lesson, instead of going outside to join my classmates on the playground, Mrs. Asleson would let me spend time with her in the classroom.  I would help her with small projects, or sometimes we would just sit and visit.  I looked forward to that time each week and always appreciated how kind she was to me.  I hope that you can find comfort in knowing that she touched many people's lives and I'm grateful that I was one of them.  Peace to you, Kris (Beske) Estenson

Words are so inadequate at expressing the extreme sadness we feel with the passing of Donna. Our loving thoughts and prayers to Dave, Josh, Amy, Seth and Nunu.

Dec.18,2012
Our lives took such different direction from those days in Hector, when I first met Donna, but the smile and laughter still are as fresh in my memory some 40+ yrs later, when I think of the first night I met her.  She will be missed by all those she has touched.  May she walk with the angels.

I will always remember the joy and laughter she brought to our church youth events.  Donna was a dear family friend and was always so caring.  She shared her classroom with me when I was a college student trying to figure out if I wanted to be a teacher.  We are all so blessed because of her compassion and kindness.

Mrs. A was the best teacher ever! I didn't speak English at all when I arrived at Oxbow Creek Elementary and she was soo patient to me. I'm in high school now and when I heard that Mrs.A died I was heartbroken. I'm really going to miss her.

Donna was such a blessing to work with both in the classroom as a cooperating teacher for our Concordia students, and on campus as one of our ESL adjuncts.  She always had a ready smile, loved her students and did the very best for them in every way.  We will miss her humor and great smile! Please accept our deepest sympathy to all members of you, her family and friends.

Praying for you Uncle Dave, Josh, Amy, Seth, & Nunu as you grieve this loss.  Aunt Donna was a wonderful lady who will always be in our hearts.  I pray for all of you to have peace in the upcoming months and years.  Sending much love from Illinois, Nate, Emily, Madeline & Aubrey Pool

Deepest sorry goes out to the entire family  at these sad times. God will rain his glory down on Donna Asleson and the whole family. Thank you for being a great person to me every time I came over to the house.  I would always remember her giving me food and making sure I always felt like I was a part of the family.  Love You Asleson Family so much. From the Quast Family

Dear Dave & Family ,
 Please know that my prayers & thoughts are with all of you , My deepest sympathy  goes out to all of you for your loss

Donna was one of the nicest individual I knew.  She was an excellent teacher going the extra mile to make sure her students did well, not only in school, but also at home.  It was as if she cared for them like they were her own.   It was a pleasure working with Donna.  Such compassion, enthusiasm, sense of humor!  I will really miss you friend.

Dear Dave & Family,

Although I feel that there are really no words I can offer during this time to ease the pain of your loss, please know that Donna holds a special place in my heart, and that the time I spent with her will live on in my memories.  Donna was a youthful lady with a kind heart, and truly one of the loveliest people I have ever met.  I will miss her dearly.

Love,

Leila

I feel so truly blessed to have worked with Donna at Oxbow Creek.  She had the most amazing personality. She had a heart of gold for everyone near her.  I can only imagine of how many friends she has already made in Heaven!  Donna will be GREATLY missed.

Although Donna is gone from our sight she is certainly not gone from our hearts and memories.  The many fun times we shared are with us forever in pictures and fond memories.  We know there is a pool in heaven that now has a new swimming angel.  Peace, strength and love.

Donna was a strong advocate of the children. Their welfare  was always a concern and mission and she went to great lengths to support the families. The children knew her as Mrs. A. 
Thanks for all you did for the children.You touched many lives.

Dear Dave, Josh, Seth, Amy and Nunu,
 I will be forever greatful for the special things you and Donna did for me over the years.  I will miss the times we spent together, she was very special to us.
We are praying that God will comfort you and your family.

Donna was a wonderful, caring colleague at Oxbow Creek and a good friend.  I will miss her...and miss meeting her regularly at the Andover YMCA swimming pool.  May she enjoy all the wonders prepared for her in heaven.

Dear Dave and Family,
I am so sorry to hear of Donna's illness and death.  As a former Principal at Evergreen Elementary, I valued her as a positive and hard working staff member.  She was a dedicated teacher and a true advocate for her ESL students and their families.  Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss.

Donna was an awesome colleague and friend. Her legacy will live on through her students - many of whom went on to become my students. :) They love "Mrs. A" - and I do too.

I am grateful that I knew - and got to work with Donna.

Dear Dave, Josh, Seth, Amy and Nunu,
Our deepest sympathy goes out to all of you at this very sad time.
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Bruce and Diane

Donna was a wonderful sister.  God blessed her with a strong sense of justice and compassion and genuine interest in others.  Donna liked family trips, swimming, music, honesty, teaching, dancing, nieces and nephews, laughing, and movies.  She didn't like small talk, discrimination, cooking, late nights, or hypocrisy.  Donna lived the words from Micah, "What does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with the Lord." We loved her very much.

Dave I am so sorry to hear about Donna. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Sue King
Alexandria, MN

Donna lived her life with joy and a childlike sense of wonder.  Those of us left behind will dearly miss her.  We were truly lucky to have been blessed with here presence.  Dave, Josh, Seth and the whole family please know our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Josh & Amy, I am sorry to hear about your great loss. Donna was a beautiful woman that touched the hearts of many. One could tell she was a special person after spending only a short amount of time with her. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Donna- you will be missed!  You were always kind and welcoming.  It was a blessing to have met you. Dave- if you or your family need anything please don't hesitate to reach out.  Our deepest condolences- the Hager family

I witnessed first hand Donna's wonderful way with new families at Oxbow who where joining us coming from other countries.  She  made them feel at ease immediately, her smile, warmth and genuine joy in being with the students and their families was evident. Oxbow will always love and admire Donna, she taught everyone adults and students alike to care for each other and welcome and cherish the cultures that make Oxbow Creek such a special place.  She taught us well, her legacy will continue.

Donna was always there for every ESL child at Oxbow Creek School, where I taught with her.  She always went above and beyond to get the students what they need.  God bless you, Dave as my prayers are with you and your family.

Those of us who love Kay and Jim...love their families, too.   Our hearts and prayers are with you during these very sad days, Dave and family.  We send our condolences.   Mazie and Denny Niebeling, friends and neighbors of Kay and Jim.

Donna was my mentor when I first started teaching ESL. The teacher I am today...is because of her! She developed my philosophy in teaching and I will be forever grateful. If we (myself included) could show half the compassion towards kids as Donna did, our schools would be awesome! Thank you for touching so many kids' lives and mine. You will be truly missed.

Donna has always been a very influential person in my life from when I was a little girl, working out together at church, staying at their house and biking to the pool with the boys. She was the one who encouraged me to become licensed in ESL many yrs ago.  Donna was a big part of my life as well as many others and will truly, truly be missed.  I have been very blessed knowing this wonderful person!!  God bless her soul!!

Short times I spent with Donna when we met in few Summers through almost fifteen years left a life time of beautiful impressions , she was that kind of person who touched my soul and so my kid's . Her generosity , her kindness and her open heart , her laughters , her jokes her beautiful picture will always remain with me , I still don't believe I will go to the states and she is not there .R.I.P (Randa )

Donna was so important to us growing up in Mankato. She was the one to always look to! God has a special place for you!

Donna left this world much too soon, and I have missed her at Oxbow since she left us.  Her selfless gift of caring and loving touched us all and her sense of humor put a smile on everyone's face. She always had time to ask about my daughter who shares a challenge that Donna also had.  She truly is an angel and I feel honored to have known her.  My prayers are with her family.

Donna was an amazing individual who did so much for so many and remained undercover while blessing us all. Her gifts as a friend and teacher will ripple forever. Donna will stay in so many hearts forever. 
My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends. Dave, Seth, Josh, Amy and Nunu, thanks for sharing her with us. 
Donna, I will always love you!
Sue Ryder

It is so sad to think that Donna is no longer with us. We have been friends of Donna and Dave over the years. In the early years when our kids were young, we vacationed together. Donna was always having fun playing with the kids. We will miss her, and our prayers go out to Dave, Josh and Seth!

Donna was so caring to all the students she came in contact with. She also cared and reached out to moms and dads in countless ways. We all miss her at Oxbow Creek. I will never forget her.

Donna was a gem. Her gift was understanding children with diverse backgrounds. I had the privledge of working with her at Oxbow Creek before my cancer diagnosis and after my treatmet. She was so supportive of my journey and I was deeply saddened to learn of her passing. Thank you for sharing Donna with all of us.

Donna was so very good at what she did, and the kids loved her.  I respected her greatly.  ESL just lost one of its best.

Donna was one of the first teachers I met while teaching my first year in Hector. She was the match-maker when I was introduced to my future wife Michele. For that I will be forever thankful. We cherish the memories we have had with Donna and family over the years and wish you to know she will be deeply missed.  Sincerely, Don and Michele Wendel

After many years of working with Donna as an ESL teacher and having her for a friend, I will always remember her compassion for the students and their families and her willingness to go the extra mile in order to help them.  She gave of herself in so many ways.  She was a confident and talented teacher and forged many new pathways in the ESL program.  I will miss her.

Donna was a wonderful, loving, caring person. She was a great teacher to those around her. She had something special about her. She will be forever missed but will be never forgotten. May you rest in peace. Much love and thoughts go out to her family in this time.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Donna truly had the gift of teaching...it was her art!  She taught me so much during her time co-teaching in our room!  She didn't leave her students at the end if the day...she just served them differently outside of the building.  She will be missed greatly.  My prayers are for her family that they find peace in knowing she is free of pain and that they have an amazing angel smiling down on them!

I will always remember how much Donna loved the students and they adored her. She would find a way to reach each little person, no matter what the needs were. When I was going through both good and bad times she would check in to see how I was doing. I loved her sense of humor as well! We loved to laugh when she was in our room! God bless Donna- an amazing and BEAUTIFUL person!

Donna was a secret servant.  She did so many things for people behind the scenes.  She'd be mad if she knew we're finding all about them now.  I love how she was a fierce advocate for our English language learners.

Donna was a wonderful, caring, kind hearted person. My firsy job at Oxbow Creek was in ESL as a para.  Donna made me feel so welcomed in the program and just watching her interact with her students was just amazing. I knew she just loved her job and all the children she worked with. She is missed greatly and all of her family will be in my prayers. Heaven has another wonderful Angel.

Donna was a warm, engaging teacher with a marvelous sense of humor. She knew how to bring out the best in students of any age. Her graduate students gained so much from her practical experiences with children from diverse backgrounds. She was a unique teacher, a supportive colleague, and a friend who will be missed. Peace to her family.

We were so saddened to hear about Donna. Our deepest and heartfelt sympathies go out to Dave, Josh, Seth, Amy, Nunu and all who knew and loved her. Dave and Sandy Herrala

My kids loved it when Donna would come with us to the pool.  She was fun to swim with and would go down the tube slide with them so I didn't have to:)  She even did hand-stand contests in the water -- and usually won!!  She will always be in our hearts.  With much love, Angelique, Damon, Simon, John and Josie Struyk

An image that has been sustaining me is picturing Donna at the gates of heaven, and those gates fly open as the Lord hurries out to greet her. "Here she is!  She who clothed me when I was naked,  who comforted me when I was sick, who fed me when I was hungry...my beloved is here!"  Donna was the champion of not only recognizing the needs of others, but of rolling up her sleeves to do the work.  I will forever be grateful for her - her humor, her steadfast devotion for her family, her passion for social justice, her listening ear.  I am more for knowing her.  I will miss her.  And my prayers for peace go out to all those who loved her and forever hold her in your hearts.

Donna was such a blessing to work with!  She made a huge difference to a countless number of kids!  I loved her strong work ethic with a great mix of humor and charm!  She will be deeply mixed at Oxbow!

Joe Scheller

OBITUARY

Donna Asleson

August 2, 1948 – December 5, 2012

Gearhart Funeral Home

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Updates

Services