In the early morning hours of Thursday, February 8, 2018, Donna passed away peacefully of natural causes. Donna was visited and comforted by family members at Golden Acres Manor in Carrington, ND. At the time of her passing, she was 78 years old.

Donna Mae Fuhrman was born on June 18, 1939, in Fessenden, ND.  She was the first born daughter of Ben and Evelyn (Shirley) Fuhrman. She had two older brothers and a younger sister.  She grew up in rural Fessenden and graduated eighth grade from a country school. She loved to tell stories of growing up on the farm and how she and Agnus spent many hours on Buckskin riding as fast as old Buckskin would go! As an adult, she was proud to earn her GED.

She was united in marriage to Raymond Hager October 6, 1959.  Together they had four children, Lori, Doris, Brian and Steve.  The ‘Apple of her eye” was her grandson, Casey. She always stressed getting an education and made sure that all of her children went to college.  She loved to sing.  Every car trip to grandma’s and grandpa’s house was an hour long sing-a-long.

Donna was an accomplished cook and baker.  Her doughnuts, pies, and kuchen were the best.  Her earliest job was at the Hotel Café in Fessenden.  Donna’s outgoing personality and her love of visiting made her the perfect waitress.  Many of her customers became lifelong friends.  Donna was also very good at Math.  This skill helped her with her bookkeeping responsibilities working for Raymond Hager Trucking and then later for Biel Brothers. She was a very hard worker and instilled a strong work ethic into all of her children.

Donna had many activities that she enjoyed.  Bingo was one of her favorites, she had the daubers to prove it! She was always trying to convince one of her children to go to Bingo with her.   She also loved old westerns and old time western music. Her favorites were Gene Autry, Hank Williams, and Roy Acuff.  Donna grew up riding horses and continued to have a love of horses her entire life.  She made sure that her children were given horses when they moved on the farm.  However, she absolutely forbid any of her children from using a saddle.  Doris still remembers her first “riding lesson” on Shawna.  Donna loved attending horse races at the Fessenden Fair.

Donna is survived by her children Lori (Volney) Fasthorse, Solen, ND, Doris (Greg) McKay, Baldwin, ND, Steve, Dickinson, ND, and Brian, Valley City, ND;  grandson, Casey Fasthorse, Solen, ND; sister Agnus (Alan) Reichenberger, Harvey, ND; sister-in-law Elennor Knoll, Harvey, ND; brother-in-law Donald Hager, Rugby, ND; and her nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Raymond; parents Ben and Evelyn; Aunt Polly and Uncle Adolph, brothers Clifford and Elmer; brother-in-law Ed Hager; sisters-in-laws Christine and Issy.

Special thanks to all the staff at Golden Acres Manor.  Mom was treated with such kindness and respect.  It takes special people to be able to do the work they do.  They are “God’s Angels on Earth!” Also, thank you to Tom Sauby, Evans Funeral Home.  You are a true blessing at a time when people need it the most.

Donna’s family prefers that memorials be donated to

FUNERAL SERVICE:

Evans Funeral Home, Carrington, ND

DATE AND TIME:

Mon., Feb. 12, 2018 at 10:30AM

BURIAL:

Manfred Cemetery, Manfred, ND