Donna Lou Elston

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Donna L. Elston, 71, of Dell Rapids passed away Monday, December 5, 2011.

Funeral services will begin at 10:30 am Friday, December 9, 2011 at Minnehaha Funeral Home Chapel in Dell Rapids.

Visitation will begin at 3:00 pm with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00 pm Thursday at the funeral home.

Donna Lou was born to parents Oscar and Georgia (Olson) Sjoland October 4, 1940 at Nunda, SD. She had three brothers, David; Bobby and Mike; three sisters, Lynette; Gayla and Sandy. Donna married Joe VanDam on October 3, 1959 in Dell Rapids and from their marriage had five children. She married Bill Elston October 24, 1980 in Dell Rapids where they lived until her death.

Donna had a passion for life; she enjoyed bowling, camping, gardening, bingo, sewing, cooking, karaoke, card games, fishing and spending time with family and friends. Donna was a member of the St. Mary Altar Society.

Grateful for having shared her life are her husband, Bill, Dell Rapids; children, Lori (Brian) Amundson, Dell Rapids; Lisa (Herbert) Christion, Sioux Falls; Lynda (Bill) Rave, Brookings; Jeff (Brenda) VanDam, Sioux Falls; John (Edna) VanDam, Glenrock, WY and Sony (Wayne) Elsinger, Dell Rapids; fifteen grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Lynette.