1927
Dona
2007
Dona Gruenwald
December 30, 1927 — May 2, 2007
Funeral services for Mrs. Dona Gruenwald, age 79, of Milbank will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 8, 2007, at the First Congregational Church in Milbank. Reverend Colleen Natalie-Lees will officiate. Dona died on Wednesday, May 2, 2007, at her home. The pianist will be Linda Stengel and the vocalists will be Jack Stengel and Susan Stinson. Visitation will be at the Emanuel-Patterson Funeral Home in Milbank on Monday from 5-7 p.m. Visitation will continue in the church on Tuesday one hour before services. Pallbearers will be Gary Olson, David Olson, Steve Olson, Jim Dornbusch, Jim DeFea, Dr. Norm Madsen, Jack Davenport, and Jack Stengel. Burial will be in the Milbank City Cemetery.
Dona was born on December 30, 1927, in Sioux Falls, SD, the daughter of Lester and Minnie (Seefeldt) Olson. She graduated from Washington High School in Sioux Falls in 1946 and from the University of South Dakota in 1955. Dona was united in marriage to Max Gruenwald on October 1, 1954, in Sioux Falls. They resided in Honolulu, Hawaii from 1957-1960 and had lived in Milbank since 1960.
Dona was active in everything she became involved with, starting with many organizations in college, including being Vice President of the University of South Dakota student body one year and president of Alpha Xi Delta Sorority. When she and her husband returned from Hawaii Naval Service duty and moved to Milbank, she participated in promoting several local organizations, Makocha Study Club, Pied Pipers Children's Theater, Eastern Star, American Association of University Women, Milbank Fine Arts Council, and several bridge clubs. Dona taught dance classes for many years for hundreds of students. She taught tap, jazz, and hula, which she learned while living in Hawaii. Dona also choreographed several Milbank High School musicals. As a long-time member of the Makocha Study Club, Dona went on to become State President of the South Dakota General Federation of Women's Club (GFWC) and then to be GFWC National Chairman of Conservation of Natural Resources. Politically, she was active in Milbank appearances for Elizabeth Dole and George H.W. Bush when both were running for President. She loved flowers, especially in her back yard. Another of Dona's great joys was decorating for Christmas. She loved to entertain, preparing delicious food for guests. She certainly was not a passive person until arthritis and heart conditions slowed her down.
Survivors include her husband Max; her three children, Lane, Twin Brooks, SD, Mark and wife Therese, Sioux Falls, SD; and Shari Gruenwald, Washington, D.C.; one brother, Marlin Olson and his wife LuAnn and one sister-in-law, Mrs. Marlyn Olson, all of Sioux Falls, SD; one brother-in-law, Jim Gruenwald, and his wife Gerry, San Diego, CA; one niece; and several nephews.
Her parents and one brother, Donald Olson, preceded her in death. The Emanuel-Patterson Funeral Home of Milbank is in charge of the arrangements.
Dona was born on December 30, 1927, in Sioux Falls, SD, the daughter of Lester and Minnie (Seefeldt) Olson. She graduated from Washington High School in Sioux Falls in 1946 and from the University of South Dakota in 1955. Dona was united in marriage to Max Gruenwald on October 1, 1954, in Sioux Falls. They resided in Honolulu, Hawaii from 1957-1960 and had lived in Milbank since 1960.
Dona was active in everything she became involved with, starting with many organizations in college, including being Vice President of the University of South Dakota student body one year and president of Alpha Xi Delta Sorority. When she and her husband returned from Hawaii Naval Service duty and moved to Milbank, she participated in promoting several local organizations, Makocha Study Club, Pied Pipers Children's Theater, Eastern Star, American Association of University Women, Milbank Fine Arts Council, and several bridge clubs. Dona taught dance classes for many years for hundreds of students. She taught tap, jazz, and hula, which she learned while living in Hawaii. Dona also choreographed several Milbank High School musicals. As a long-time member of the Makocha Study Club, Dona went on to become State President of the South Dakota General Federation of Women's Club (GFWC) and then to be GFWC National Chairman of Conservation of Natural Resources. Politically, she was active in Milbank appearances for Elizabeth Dole and George H.W. Bush when both were running for President. She loved flowers, especially in her back yard. Another of Dona's great joys was decorating for Christmas. She loved to entertain, preparing delicious food for guests. She certainly was not a passive person until arthritis and heart conditions slowed her down.
Survivors include her husband Max; her three children, Lane, Twin Brooks, SD, Mark and wife Therese, Sioux Falls, SD; and Shari Gruenwald, Washington, D.C.; one brother, Marlin Olson and his wife LuAnn and one sister-in-law, Mrs. Marlyn Olson, all of Sioux Falls, SD; one brother-in-law, Jim Gruenwald, and his wife Gerry, San Diego, CA; one niece; and several nephews.
Her parents and one brother, Donald Olson, preceded her in death. The Emanuel-Patterson Funeral Home of Milbank is in charge of the arrangements.