Donna Lee ((Morgen)(Anderson)) Jantzen
After a hard-fought fight, Donna passed away on February 3, 2025, only after hearing each of her living children’s voices was she willing to go. She came to peace at SMP Health-St. Raphael in Valley City where the wonderful staff and Hospice of the Red River Valley kept her comfortable.
Donna was born on September 13, 1936, in McLaughlin, SD. She was the eldest of Harry and Helen Morgen’s five children. In 1943 her family moved to Valley City, ND where she went to grade school then high school and graduating from VCHS. Donna was very proud of being a lifeguard and instructing swimming lessons, she also taught all her kids to swim.
Though Donna majored in English at VCSC, she found her niche and worked for many years as a bookkeeper.
In 1960 Donna married Glen Anderson, also from VC. The couple had four children, Dawn, twins: Cara and Cory, and Gaye. The family moved quite often with Donna making lifelong friends everywhere she lived.
In the 70’s Donna became very active in Business and Professional Women (BPW), advocating for women’s rights in the workplace and again making lifelong friends. She served as president many years. Given her strong professional leadership it’s not surprising she raised three strong daughters and a son that thinks a woman can do anything.
After she and Glen divorced, in 1981 she married Will Jantzen and they moved to Rugby, ND where they lived several years before returning to Valley City to care for Will’s mother.
When Donna was in her 70’s she cut back to part time work and worked until she was 86 and only because she broke her hip, and her kids said no more. In 2024 she lost her husband Will, her daughter Cara and was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic colon cancer, it was a very hard year.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Bobbi, brothers Nick and Milton (Butch), her husband Will and daughter Cara Kamstra.
Donna is survived by her sister Joyce Arne, daughter Dawn (Mike) Holm, son Cory Anderson, daughter Gaye (Scott) Undem. Six grandchildren, Malissa Holm, Megan Holm, Anthony Kamstra, Ceilia Michaelis, Derek Kamstra and Ryan Undem. One great granddaughter, Cailee and many nieces and a nephew.
Donna’s informal celebration of life will be held 11 AM, Saturday, February 22nd at the AmericInn, 280 Wintershow Rd. SW, Valley City, ND. The service will be live streamed, then archived, on a link provided along with her obituary on her tribute page at www.lerudmathias.com The Lerud Mathias Funeral Home in Valley City is assisting Donna’s family with arrangements.