Donna Jean Whitson

Donna J. Whitson, 86, formerly of Grand Forks, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, with her daughters by her side. Donna had resided at Edgewood Vista, in East Grand Forks, MN, for eight years while battling Alzheimer's. Donna was born on Sept. 20, 1923, the daughter of Oscar and Hulda (Boman) Thronson, in Fisher, MN. She grew up and attended school in Clifford, ND. She was united in marriage to William Whitson on November 10, 1939, in Crookston, MN. They moved to Grand Forks where she raised her family while working at Grossman Cleaners and then at Simplot as a line worker for 20+ years before retiring in 1992. If you stopped to visit you could usually find her busy working her crossword puzzles (she wore out many dictionaries), playing solitaire, or baking a fresh batch of doughnuts. Grandma was famous for her homemade doughnuts. She must have made thousands of batches through the years! She even tried teaching her daughters....but that never worked out too well and to this day there will never be another donut like grandma's! There was no better treat for us grandkids than a fresh doughnut and a glass of Pepsi! Growing up we were always plotting ways to spend the night at Grandma and Grandpa's house. She was always willing to take the whole crew of grandkids for sleepovers. We would sprawl out all over the house with our blankets and sleeping bags -- it was a great time for all of the cousins to hang out together and even though we could be a little rowdy, grandma never seemed to mind. We spent countless afternoons playing ball with grandma in her big backyard or playing in the camper. When we were ready for a break she would call us in for a bowl of her homemade cherry sauce. We always looked forward to that time of year when she canned. Get-togethers were always special as our large family would jam-pack her small house and family reunions were never complete without grandma sending one of us on a run for Kentucky Fried Chicken. Grandma was definitely a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is, Norwegian, with a huge heart! She loved her family and especially loved being with her grandchildren. Grandma, we love and miss you! Donna is survived by her daughters; Bonnie (Mike) Brewer and Vicki Kvasager, both of Grand Forks; sons, LeRoy (Jeanne) Whitson, Overton, NV, Dayle Whitson, Floodwood, MN, LeVerne (Mary) Whitson, Forest Hill, MD, Merlin Whitson, Overton, NV, and 15 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, (give or take a few!) and 4 great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister, JeNelle (Gary) Faldet, Erskine, MN, brothers Marlo (Sandra) Thronson, Burton, MI, and DuWayne (Ella) Thronson, Harrison, MI. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband William, granddaughter Kristi Whitson, son-in-law James Kvasager, sister Toots Pederson, and special friend Avner Olson. Our family would like to thank the staff at Edgewood Vista for the loving and tender care given to her over the years. We would also like to thank the staff at Red River Hospice for their care and dedication. FUNERAL SERVICE: 11:00am Wednesday, November 18, at Sharon Lutheran Church, 1720 S 20th St., Grand Forks, ND. VISITATION: One hour prior to the funeral service at the church. INTERMENT: Memorial Park Cemetery of Grand Forks