Obituary for Donna French
Donna J. French, 72, of Watertown, SD, passed away Sunday, December 2, 2018 at Jenkins Living Center.
Memorial services will be 2:00 p.m., Thursday, December 6, 2018 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ with Rev. Tom Emanuel officiating. Music will be provided by Robbyn Givens and Bruce Rhinehart.
Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown.
Honorary Urn-bearers will be Donna's grandsons.
Donna Jean French was born December 15, 1945 to Hike and Evelyn (Phillips) Bruins in Huron, South Dakota. She grew up on her aunt and uncle's farm near Bonilla, South Dakota, graduating from Bonilla High School in 1964. Donna married her high school sweetheart, Gary French on November 27, 1964. Through the years the couple made their home in Aberdeen, Hecla, Columbia, Clear Lake and retired in Watertown. Donna had been a part-time bookkeeper for several companies and also worked in a floral shop.
Donna was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Donna was a huge Vikings fan. She wore purple and gold with such pride on game day (down to her earrings) to cheer them on. Donna was a big fan of Elvis Presley and enjoyed watching many of his impersonators. She had a dedicated room full of Elvis memorabilia that her family and friends helped her collect.
She loved taking care of her grandsons, camping, fishing, boating, and she was also a NASCAR (Dale Earnhardt Jr.) enthusiast. Donna went to Arizona for the past several years during the winter months. She was able to make it back there for a few days this past November. She absolutely loved it and cherished her time with new friends in Arizona.
She was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ and women's fellowship.
Grateful for having shared in Donna's life and will immensely miss her are her husband, the love of her life, Gary French; her children, Gina (Bryan) French of Maplewood, MN, Brenda (James) Purdy of Hudson, WI, Teresa (Travis) Eastman of Dell Rapids, SD; grandsons, Preston and Landon Purdy, Kaeden, Treyse and Drake Eastman; sister-in-law, Anita Rawstern; step-brother, Scott Meyer; and grandpuppies, Diva, Cash, Maverick, Charley, Malibu and Hollister.
Preceding Donna in death are her parents; her Aunt Ann and Uncle Bob Rawstern; one brother, Robert Rawstern; and two brothers-in-law, Ron French and Jim French.
Donna's family expresses their many thanks to Jenkins Living Center during the last days of her life and the care and compassion of Prairie Lakes Hospice.
Memorial services will be 2:00 p.m., Thursday, December 6, 2018 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ with Rev. Tom Emanuel officiating. Music will be provided by Robbyn Givens and Bruce Rhinehart.
Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown.
Honorary Urn-bearers will be Donna's grandsons.
Donna Jean French was born December 15, 1945 to Hike and Evelyn (Phillips) Bruins in Huron, South Dakota. She grew up on her aunt and uncle's farm near Bonilla, South Dakota, graduating from Bonilla High School in 1964. Donna married her high school sweetheart, Gary French on November 27, 1964. Through the years the couple made their home in Aberdeen, Hecla, Columbia, Clear Lake and retired in Watertown. Donna had been a part-time bookkeeper for several companies and also worked in a floral shop.
Donna was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Donna was a huge Vikings fan. She wore purple and gold with such pride on game day (down to her earrings) to cheer them on. Donna was a big fan of Elvis Presley and enjoyed watching many of his impersonators. She had a dedicated room full of Elvis memorabilia that her family and friends helped her collect.
She loved taking care of her grandsons, camping, fishing, boating, and she was also a NASCAR (Dale Earnhardt Jr.) enthusiast. Donna went to Arizona for the past several years during the winter months. She was able to make it back there for a few days this past November. She absolutely loved it and cherished her time with new friends in Arizona.
She was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ and women's fellowship.
Grateful for having shared in Donna's life and will immensely miss her are her husband, the love of her life, Gary French; her children, Gina (Bryan) French of Maplewood, MN, Brenda (James) Purdy of Hudson, WI, Teresa (Travis) Eastman of Dell Rapids, SD; grandsons, Preston and Landon Purdy, Kaeden, Treyse and Drake Eastman; sister-in-law, Anita Rawstern; step-brother, Scott Meyer; and grandpuppies, Diva, Cash, Maverick, Charley, Malibu and Hollister.
Preceding Donna in death are her parents; her Aunt Ann and Uncle Bob Rawstern; one brother, Robert Rawstern; and two brothers-in-law, Ron French and Jim French.
Donna's family expresses their many thanks to Jenkins Living Center during the last days of her life and the care and compassion of Prairie Lakes Hospice.