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Donna Marie Larson, 89, of Albert Lea passed away Saturday, April 4, 2020, at St John’s Lutheran Community.

Donna was born Sept. 13, 1930, in Mapleton. She was the daughter of John and Hilma (Anderson) Sailor. She lived and attended school in Bricelyn.

At age 19 she was united in marriage to Wayne C. Larson on April 22, 1950. Together Wayne and Donna raised their family in and around Albert Lea, permanently settling in Albert Lea in 1968. They attended Our Saviors Lutheran Church.

Donna worked outside the home as a server at various establishments in and around Albert Lea. She also worked as a government inspector for Land O’Lakes and worked at Farmstead for a number of years.

Donna was a wonderful cook; she enjoyed telling stories and cooking for her family and friends. She was an avid dancer in her younger years and attended many dances with her sister, Darlene. It was at one of those many dances she attended where she met the love of her life and future husband, Wayne.

Donna loved fishing and camping with Wayne, their family and friends. She was quite the seamstress in her day, which she learned from her older sister, Edna. Donna also enjoyed drawing, word find puzzles, playing cards and bingo. Most of all she loved to spend time with her family and friends. She loved to have coffee and visit. She treasured spending time with her grandchildren. She was a fun-loving, sassy grandma with a heart of gold. Donna was known for her quick wit and making people laugh. She was one of a kind, had a huge heart and will be missed beyond measure.

Donna is survived by her children Nancy (Lars) Baird Tonding, Rhonda (Ron) Hrubetz and Gayle Truesdell; 12 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren with a great-granddaughter on the way and one great-great-grandson; nieces, nephews and other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne; sons Craig, Rodney, Thomas and a set of twins, Kevin and Bryon; eight brothers and three sisters; and sons-in-law Dane Baird and Brian Truesdell.

A funeral service for Donna will be at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral home at a later date once the restrictions are lifted.