Thief River Falls – Donna Mae Cantwell, 84, died peacefully on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at Valley Home Assisted Living, Thief River Falls.
On July 2, 1938 Donna was born to Herbert and Mildred (Hoffart) Burgess in Hewitt. She was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran Faith. Donna attended school in Bertha, graduating in 1956. Following her education, Donna moved to the Twin Cities; while there, she met her future husband, Duane Cantwell. They made their home in Oklee. To this union, two children were born—Kyle, followed by a sister two years later, Cheryl.
For a time, Donna worked at Arctic Cat before moving to Inter-County Community Council, Oklee, where she worked for over 35 years. During her retirement, Donna worked part-time at Digi-Key until her cancer returned, and she could no longer work.
Donna moved to Thief River Falls around 2019 until she needed to move to Assisted Living on May 27, 2022, where she remained until the time of her death.
Donna is survived by her children, Kyle (Jodi) Cantwell and Cheryl Drangstveit; step-granddaughter, Samantha (Cody) Deschene; two step-great-grandchildren, Carson and Hadley Dahl; brother, Charles (Sylvia) Burgess; brothers-in-law, Robert Solien and Steve Schmidt; and multiple nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by husband, Duane; parents, Herbert and Mildred Burgess; brother, Robert Burgess; sister and brother-in-law, Vivian and Ed Mashek; in-laws, Milo and Lily Cantwell; sisters-in-law, Barbara Solien, Mary Lou Schmidt; and brother-in-law, Jack Rindahl.
Memorial Service was held at Johnson Funeral Service Chapel, Thief River Falls, on Monday, August 1, 2022.
Burial will be at a later date.
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