Donna L. Niemann

Donna L. Niemann, age 87 of St. Thomas, ND passed away on Friday, October 26 2018 at her home in St. Thomas.

Donna Lucille Niemann was born June 22, 1931 in St. Thomas, ND the daughter of the late Alfred and Nellie (Furtan) Lunde. She attended rural school at the Duffy School near St. Thomas and graduated from St. Thomas High School. She attended Valley City State Teacher’s College for two years. She taught school at the Quam School near St. Thomas and Hensel, North Dakota. Donna was united in marriage to Albert Niemann on December 20, 1953 in St. Thomas, ND. The couple lived and farmed near Crystal, North Dakota until Albert’s death on June 25, 1994. In November of 1994 Donna moved to St. Thomas, ND and started working as a tutor at the St. Thomas School. She did this for several years and enjoyed every minute of it.

She was a member of the St. John’s Lutheran Church of Crystal, ND where she served as church organist for over 30 years. She was an active member of the St. John’s LWML, the St. Thomas Preservation Society, St. Thomas Senior Citizens, the Pembina County Heritage Club and Pioneer Daughters, a fifty year member of the Friendly Homemakers Group and the Crystal American Legion Auxiliary. Donna loved music and it flowed from her. She played piano by ear and enjoyed going to Borg Pioneer Home and Wedgewood Manor and playing for the residents. She was an avid sports fan and followed her grandchildren’s games faithfully. She loved the Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Timberwolves. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren playing games, especially Farkle.

Donna is survived by her children: Lynn (Annette) Niemann, Crystal, ND; Nancy (Dennis) Rindy, Portland, ND; son-in-law, Harold Unke, Crookston, MN; daughter-in-law, Jaci Niemann, Grafton, ND; 17 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter, Ramona Unke, sons: David Niemann and Lyle Niemann, grandson, Daniel Unke and siblings: Roy Lunde, Wilbur Lunde, Mildred Bigwood, Selmar, John Lunde Sr., Goldie Irey Fry, Phyllis Tisdale, Evelyn Thom, Violet Turner and infant brother Clayton Lunde.

Funeral services will be Saturday, November 3, 2018 at 10:30 AM at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Crystal, North Dakota. Visitation will be Friday from 5-7 with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton, ND. Friends may also call at the church on Saturday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery of Crystal, ND.