Donna McEnroe

Donna LaVon McEnroe, age 81, of Grand Forks, ND passed away on July 17, 2014 at her home. Donna Abel was born September 27, 1932 to Ernest and Laura Abel in Chippewa Falls, WI. Her family moved to East Grand Forks, MN in 1937. She graduated from East Grand Forks Central High School in 1950. She attended the University of North Dakota and was a member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority. Donna married George McEnroe on April 4, 1954 in Grand Forks, ND. George's work as a cattle buyer took them to North Platte, NE and Burlingame, CA. They returned to Grand Forks to farm and raise a family. Donna was a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood and a long standing member of United Lutheran Church. She enjoyed many bridge clubs and continued playing until recently. A fan of all sports, she participated in bowling, golf and tennis. Each day her calendar was full with sporting events, card games and drama productions. She rarely missed her children's and grandchildren's activities. Donna received great pleasure entertaining her family and friends. Everyone enjoyed her home-cooked meals. She lovingly cooked, baked and preserved food to share. An avid fisherman since childhood, she continued to fish with her children and grandchildren even after her husband died in 2003. Donna enjoyed time spent at the family lake home on Union Lake, MN. Donna was preceded in death by her husband, George, parents Ernest and Laura, brother Merlyn and his wife Margaret, and infant sister LaVerness. She is survived by her children: Laurie (Eric) Bakke, Tom (Patti) McEnroe, Merrilee (Randy) Brown, all of Grand Forks, ND, and Jim McEnroe of Big Sky, MT; grandchildren: Andy (Becca) Bakke of Fargo, ND, Tom (Jonetta) Bakke of Bemidji, MN, Jeff Bakke of Stavanger, Norway, Nick (Lanae) Brown, Katie (Brian) Bergner both of Grand Forks, ND, Jamie McEnroe of Aptos, CA, Carrie McEnroe of Stevensville, MT, and Anna McEnroe of Big Sky, MT; great-grandchildren: Rylan and Mackenzie Brown; Claire, Luke and Audrey Bakke; Bergen and Conrad Bakke; Ella and Ty Bergner; Keelan and Michael McEnroe-Mauri; cousin LaRae (Hugo) Carlson; sister-in-law Dorothy McEnroe, and many nieces and nephews. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 22, 2014 in United Lutheran Church, 324 Chestnut St., Grand Forks, ND. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. Prayer Service Monday, July 21, 2014 in Amundson Funeral Home, 2975 S. 42nd St., Grand Forks. Private interment will be in Memorial Park North Cemetery, Grand Forks