DONNA M. ESTENSON

Donna M. Estenson, 73, of rural Warwick, ND died peacefully at her home surrounded by her loved ones on Tuesday, January 18, 2011. She was currently under the care of Mercy Hospice and her family. Funeral Services for Donna will be held on Saturday, January 22, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at River of Life, Assembly of God Church, Devils Lake, ND with Pastor Jeff Kapelle officiating. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Friday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Family Service at 7:00 p.m. Serving as Casket Bearers for Donna will be her grandsons, Chad Estenson, Cory Estenson, Jerry Estenson, Seth Estenson, Sean Estenson and Erik Estenson. Honorary Bearers are Donna’s granddaughters, Lori Quam, Meghan Estenson and Molly Estenson. Donna Marie Spratt was born August 10, 1937 in Loma, ND to Jack and Nora (Wolford) Spratt. She was reared and educated in the Wales and Langdon area. Donna married Lawrence “Larry” Estenson on May 14, 1954 in Rolla, ND. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to their farm and ranch in rural Warwick, ND where Donna resided at the time of her death. While living at the ranch Donna was an intrinsic part of the day-to-day affairs of running the farm and ranch. Larry and Donna joined Warwick Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday school. She also actively served on the Warwick Public School Board while her three sons attended school there. Every spring she loved to garden and plant flowers around the house. Donna also treasured spending time reading, but valued most the time she got to spend with her family and friends while traveling the country for different events and activities they were involved in. She will be remembered for her great nature, her dedication to the farm and ranch, and most of all, for her devotion to her family and loved ones. Donna is survived by Larry, her husband of 56 years; three sons, Cal (Joan) Estenson, Warwick, ND, Hal (Judy) Estenson, Warwick, ND, and Craig (Kytte) Estenson, Warwick ND. ; nine grandchildren, Chad (Megan) Estenson, Devils Lake, ND, Cory Estenson- (Krista Sundeen), Warwick ND, Lori (CJ) Quam, Tolna, ND, Jerry (Linda) Estenson, Twin Cities, MN, Seth Estenson, Warwick, ND, Sean Estenson, Fargo, ND. Meghan Estenson, Fargo, ND. Erik and Molly Estenson, Warwick, ND; and five great grandchildren, Jace, Lainie, and Tate Estenson, Devils Lake, ND, Ashley and Tyler Quam, Tolna, ND; brother Ernie (Sharon), Twin Cities, MN; sister Nora (Norman) Wirth, Munich, ND; She is preceded in death by her parents; four brothers: Earl, Bob, Ray, Joe; seven sisters: Neva, Doris, Anna Mae, Mabel , Ethel, Betty, and Carole.