Donna Bjornlie

Donna Mae Bjornlie passed away on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021, at Johnson Memorial Care Center, Dawson, MN, at the age of 92.

Due to Covid, private services will be held for the immediate family with video of the funeral available on Monday, April 12, 2021 on www.andersontebeest.com web site.  Arrangements are with Hanson & Dahl Funeral Home in Dawson.

Donna Mae Kofoed was born January 8, 1929 in Slayton, MN to Alfred and Clara (Bistrup) Kofoed. She was baptized and confirmed in the First Presbyterian Church of Currie, MN. She and her six siblings grew up on a farm outside of Currie. She attended elementary school in Currie and graduated high school in Tracy, MN. She moved to Minneapolis where she attended training as a medical laboratory technician.

She was married to William (Bill) Erickson on February 19, 1949. They moved to Peoria, IL where Bill trained in the watch and jewelry business and repair. They had 4 daughters: Susan, Kerry, Barbara, and Beth. They moved to Dawson in 1957 and owned and operated the Erickson Jewelry and Gift Shop. Donna later worked in the meat department of Davidson’s Red Owl. After Bill passed away in 1968 she married Reuben Bjornlie on July 6, 1974 and Reuben passed away in 1999.

Donna was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Dawson and active in Circle and loved singing her hymns. She was also active in the Ladies Auxiliary. She so enjoyed going back to Currie to reap the benefits of her sister Maxine’s garden harvest…shucking sweet corn, picking strawberries, snipping beans, not to forget cleaning chickens and baking breads, oh my those caramel/cinnamon rolls!!

From her home on 4th & Locust, Donna moved to Gulf View Apartments for 8 years. She moved to Johnson Memorial Assisted Living in 2016 then became a resident of Johnson Memorial Care Center the following year.

She is survived by her daughters: Susan Erickson of Richfield, Barbara (Steven) Bjorndahl of Maynard and Beth (Bob) MacPherson of Rosemount; a son-in-law, Dallas Kelly of Dawson; six grandchildren: Jason (Stephanie) Kelly, Jennifer (John) Stanoch, Jeffrey (Tonya) Kelly, Jacque (James) Laney, Brittany (Brent) Karow and Emily MacPherson, 11 great grandchildren: Jaedyn, Janielle, Taylen, McCayn, Tacker, Dreyton, Kingston, Oaklyn, Mason, Jack and Weston; and a great-great-grandchild, Jaxten; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by husbands: William Erickson and Reuben Bjornlie; her parents, Alfred and Clara Kofoed; her daughter, Kerry Erickson Kelly; her sisters: Maxine, Evelyn and Vera; her brothers: Marvin, Cecil and David; two grandchildren: Brianna and Bryan Bjorndahl; and her dear friends Virginia Boraas and Winifred Giese.