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Kratz, 78, LaMoure, ND, passed away in her home after a short battle with pancreatic cancer Thursday January 30, 2014, surrounded by and in the loving arms of her family. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 4, 2014 at the LaMoure School with visitation starting one hour prior. Everyone is invited to Zoar Lutheran Church for lunch after the services. Burial will be held at Rosehill Cemetery at a later date.
Donna Jean, daughter of Carl and Lisa (Anderson) Benson was born July 29, 1935 in the family home in Barnes County near Nome, ND. She attended school at Eastedge, ND through the 10th grade and went two years to Enderlin, graduating from Enderlin High School. She attended Valley City State College and UND-Ellendale Branch. She received her B.S. degree from VCSC. Her first teaching job was in the Lindvold School, a rural Barnes County school. She then taught at the LaMoure Elementary School for 34 years. After retiring she continued to substitute teach until 2000.
On June 5, 1955 she was united in marriage to Walter Junior Kratz. Donna and Walt spent their entire married life in the area. They lived on a farm in Wright Township, Dickey County where they farmed and raised their family. In 1976 they moved to their current location in Ryan Township, LaMoure County. They also ran the K & R Café for nine years and Walt’s Steak House, both in LaMoure, for ten years.
Donna was a woman of faith. Her love of family and everyone else was always apparent in her actions as she guided her children, welcomed friends, and relatives into their home and did whatever she could to help serve others.
She was an active member of St. Ansgar ELCA & WELCA. Donna served on the church council and years back served as the first woman president, taught Vacation Bible School and Sunday school. She was a member of numerous organizations over the years. Her most recent were Delta Kappa Gamma Pi Chapter, (she was a charter member, served in both state and local offices.), Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Book Club, and Country Club. She was engaged in numerous acts of volunteerism. Donna enjoyed many activities. Some were reading, quilting, gardening, playing bridge, having coffee with friends, traveling, and most of all creating special bonds with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, as well as attending many of their sporting events. We’d have to write a book to include them all. She left a major imprint on many hearts of love, kindness, and generosity.
Donna is survived by her husband Walter; five children: Monica (Phil) Brademeyer, Oakes, Rebecca (Robert) Sundquist, Forman, Pamela (Richard) Haberman, LaMoure, Michael (Janelle) Kratz, Fullerton, Elaine (Michael) Moser, LaMoure; two brothers and two sisters: Robert (MaryAnn) Benson , Clancy, MT, Lorraine Fornes, Kathryn, C. Milo (Joyce) Benson, Nome, and Judy (Wendell) Kopperud, Jamestown; thirteen grandchildren; and twenty nine great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Earle, and a great grandson.
Memorials preferred to Hospice of the Red River Valley. Dahlstrom Funeral Home, LaMoure is in charge of arrangements. An on-line guestbook may be signed at www.dahlstromfuneralhome.com