The celebration of life for Donna Mae (Bakken) Zuelke of Albert Lea will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. John Holt will officiate. Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery. Friends may visit with family one hour before the service at the church. Bonnerup Funeral Service is assisting the family with arrangements.
Donna died on March 9, 2010, at Thorne Crest Retirement Community Health Care Wing. She was 85.
She was born in Freeborn County on Feb. 15, 1925, to Rudolph and Laura (Oakland) Bakken. She completed her elementary schooling at rural District No. 68, and graduated from Albert Lea High School.
On June 20, 1943, Donna was united in marriage to Marvin David Zuelke at First Lutheran Church. She, having been a life member of First Lutheran, served on ELCW Board (church women), Mission Circle No. 13, and had taught Sunday School and Bible School for many years. In later years she served on Caring and Sharing. Donna served as a Cub Scout Den Mother of Ramsey School’s Cub Scout Pack, also on the Ramsey School P.T.A., served 25 years as a Red Cross Volunteer, did volunteer work at St. John’s Lutheran Home, and the Senior Resource program.
Donna was very active in the Sons of Norway Lodge, Normanna No. 52 of Albert Lea by serving in many offices of the local lodge, was a member of the American War Dad’s Auxiliary, the American Legion Auxiliary of Post No. 56, and was a member of the Freeborn County and Albert Lea TRIAD.
Donna loved her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and loved to make turkey cookies for them at Thanksgiving.
Donna is survived by sons: David (Susan) and Daryl (Angele), all of Chaska; grandchildren: Erin (Steve) Geske of Eden Prairie, Laura (Travis) Root of New Auburn, Sarah (Michael) Rydberg of Pine City, Eric Zuelke of Minneapolis, Bryan (Debby) Zuelke of Buffalo and Daniel Zuelke of Chaska; great grandchildren: Tyler, Clarissa, Lily, Jaxson, Wesley, Aurora, Addie; and sister-in-law, Derva Minear, of Minneapolis.