Donna Mae Sawrey

Donna Sawrey, of Ada, MN, ended her almost 2 year fight with cancer on the morning of Saturday, March 10. She died peacefully at Bridges Medical Center with her beloved family at her side. Donna had fought for almost 2 years against cancer which had spread to her hip and brain. She had made amazing progress in Physical Therapy when she was stricken with pneumonia, just one week before she planned to be discharged from Bridges Care Community to live with her sister, Kaye Loe. She fought the pneumonia for more than one week, and when it seemed that she could not recover from the pneumonia, she asked the Lord to take charge, and, indeed, He took her, devastatingly soon. Donna was only 67 years of age. Donna lived an amazingly full life with so many adventures and accomplishments. If she had written a book, it would probably have been titled “Make Every Day an Adventure”, with chapter after chapter about her love of friends, family, and making the most of every moment of life. Donna certainly experienced pain and suffering, like everyone else, but it is the inspiring way that she handled life’s difficulties that defines Donna, separates her from the rest, and will continue to inspire all that know her. She touched so many lives throughout her 67 years on this earth, and will be sorely missed. Born May 5, 1939 in Borup, MN, to Wilbert and Gladys Finch, Donna Mae was one of three children. Her brother, Earle Martin Finch, still resides in Ada, while sister, Josephine “Kaye” Loe is now in Moorhead, MN, after several years in Perley, MN. Donna graduated from Ada High School in 1957. Following graduation, she moved to Fargo, ND, where she worked for seven years with Northwestern Bell Telephone Company. During that time, she met the love of her life, Douglas Sawrey, originally of Cogswell, ND, and married on January 2, 1960. They had three wonderful sons, Perry Douglas, Todd Wesley, and Jason Earl, during their time in Fargo. Donna and her family began the next chapter in their lives when they moved to Santa Clara, California, in 1964. Doug and Donna enjoyed a prosperous 12 years in California. Not only was Donna active in church and civic duties, and raising her busy sons, she also worked full-time at Signetics in the Silicon Valley. Douglas was employed as a carpenter with Lockheed during that time. Donna loved to tell stories about the many adventures the Sawrey family experienced while living in California. In 1976, prompted by rising crime in suburban Santa Clara and a desire to keep her family safe, Donna and her family returned to the Midwest, settling in Carrington, ND, where they began yet another chapter in Donna’s life. The Sawrey’s purchased and operated a Montgomery Wards store for 4 years. They eventually sold the store, and Donna settled easily into an Activities Director position at Golden Acres Manor in Carrington. Donna’s free time was spent helping the youth of Carrington. She was everyone’s surrogate mother. Some of her favorite stories were of her time at Red Willow Bible Camp, driving school bus and chaperoning many youth trips. She never missed her children’s sporting or academic events. She was even inducted into the Carrington Booster Club Hall of Fame for her constant support of C.H.S. activities. In 1986, Donna and Douglas moved to Moorhead, MN, after all their children had graduated high school and moved on to college, married life, and employment. This started the Empty Nest chapter of Donna’s life. While in Moorhead, they managed the Terrace on the Green apartment complex, but eventually returned to Donna’s home, Ada, so that Donna could care for her ailing parents, Gladys and Wilbert. Donna was also an in-home caregiver for her aunt, the late Bernice Fettig. Donna’s constant compassion for elderly continued with another term as Activities Director, this time in Halstad Living Center, Halstad, MN and eventually on to Bridges Care Community in Ada, where she has worked up until 2 weeks prior to her death. In the last 5 years of her life, Donna was able to live her dream – to attend Luther Seminary where she became certified as a Lay Minister with the G.I.F.T.S. program. She also became Pastoral Care Director at Halstad Living Center. Even though she had officially retired in 2004, Donna could not give up her care and ministry to the elderly. She worked post-retirement, full time, to assist the nursing administrators at Bridges, and in visitation with the residents at Bridges. She used every opportunity to witness to others. She had constant faith in God, and used every opportunity to share that with others. She was tireless in that effort. She attended a Cursillo retreat in 1997 with her daughter-in-law, Amy and remained active in attending retreats, with the mission to bring people to God. Donna was that One-in-a-Million individual, whom, once you met her, you could not forget her. She treated everyone as if she’d known them all of her life. She inspired all who know her with her undaunting faith, warmth, and selflessness. She had a contagious sense of humor and a positive attitude. Donna had a constant smile, a warm bear hug, and she just loved people. Donna was a world-class storyteller, yet at the same time was exceedingly curious and interested in everyone else’s story. One would often see her visiting with others over a pot of coffee. She never started or ended a day without prayer and devotion. She was constantly devoted to her sons and grandsons, and never lost touch with all the friends she’s made throughout the years. Her address book is full of names of people from California to Florida. She loved to entertain. Some would say she loved to “party”. Donna loved a gathering of friends and family. Donna had many hobbies. It was her constant mission to learn and grow. She spent much of her time reading books, mostly novels but oftentimes the inspirational books were her favorites. She has many of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Donna also listened endlessly to inspirational music. Her favorites included Yanni, Josh Groban. Her all-time favorite is the CD that son, Todd, and his musical team, Jubilation, from Concordia College, created while he attended school there in 1983. She was rarely sitting, and always devoting her time to help others. Donna loved her home church, Grace Lutheran Church, in Ada, where she shared her time and talents with the Grace Lutheran Church Women, Fellowship and various other boards, and assisting with Confirmation class. She was an avid sports fan, and at the same time, enjoyed an occasional play or orchestral performance. She loved a Sunday drive with no specific destination in mind, other than to take a new route, or visit a new town. In the last few years, she became a world traveler, going to Cozomel, Florida, Vegas, and has taken more than one Caribbean cruise. She also returned to Santa Clara recently to visit the old homestead. Donna’s greatest love was her family. She was extremely proud of her grandson’s, Chase, Alex, and Tyler, and spent as much time with them as she could. She was not a back-seat grandma, by any means. She took them camping, to waterslide parks, enjoyed frequent trips to Fargo. She carted them off to their various school activities, and only missed a game when she was ill. Donna was there to help with homework. She was as hand-on as a grandma could be, and she adored those boys. She was devoted to her three sons and their families, and spent as much time with them as she had available. Her sister, Kaye, was her best friend, and not a day went by where they didn’t at least visit on the phone. Donna had lost the husband whom she adored.. He, too, fought a tough battle with lung cancer, but had also suffered a stroke in 1997, the Year of the Flood, and never fully recovered. She lovingly put him to bed and into God’s arms on October 4th, 2001. “Live Life to the Fullest” and “Make Every Day and Adventure” define exactly how Donna lived her life! She found joy and adventure in the most routine activities, but she made the most of every moment. She was known for her Sunday drives where she’d hop in the car with the goal to drive to a brand new destination to see what she could see. She found miracles in the smallest things in life. She loved birds, and spent much time with Douglas watching the birds in the feeders. Donna loved trees, all the different shapes and sizes. Her photo album is full of pictures of trees. Autumn trees were her favorite. Donna was all about “Wow” moments. When she would listen to another’s story, she would respond with “Wow, wow!” She was so excited when good things happened in other’s lives. Even until her final day, Donna would often utter “Wow” in amazement of it all. Donna’s spirit will live on in her surviving family, her sister, Kaye Loe, Moorhead, MN and her family; Jeff and Cheryl and their children, Amber and Ryan; Darin and Lisa and their children, Abby, Macy and Cooper; her brother, Earl Finch and his wife, Shirley, and their children, Debbie, Natalie, and Fred (deceased), and Debbie’s daughters, Eva Herr and her husband, David and their son, Devan; and Dana (deceased). Donna’s children and their families: Perry and Katrina Sawrey, Fargo, ND, Jason Sawrey and his son Tyler, Fargo, ND and Todd and Amy Sawrey and their sons, Chase and Alexander, Ada, MN. In parting this world, if Donna were able to speak to each person individually, she would no doubt quote from Cursillo, “God loves you and so do I.” Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, March 13 at 10:30 Am in Grace Lutheran Church, Ada, MN. Visitation will be Monday, March 12 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM all in the Grace Lutheran Church, Ada. There will also be Visitation at 3:30 PM in the Bridges Care Community. Officiating will be Rev. Paul Erdal with Kris Wilkins serving as organist and Wendy Ness serving as vocalist. Pallbearers will be Perry Sawrey, Todd Sawrey, Jason Sawrey, Jeff Loe, Chase Sawrey, Darin Loe and Tyler Sawrey. Honorary Pallbearers will be Alex Sawrey, Earle Finch and the Staff and Residents of Bridges Care Community and Halstad Living Center. Interment will be in the Ada Municipal Cemetery, Ada, MN.

Donna Mae Sawrey

May 5, 1939 - March 10, 2007