Donna Lee Hamre

Donna L. Hamre age 85 of Detroit Lakes, MN died October 29, 2015 at Golden Manor Assisted Living in Detroit Lakes, MN. Donna Lee Hamre was born June 28, 1930 in Bismarck, ND to Christopher and Emma (Ost) Sayler. They moved to Iowa for a short time before relocating to a farm near Callaway, MN. She attended country school near her home and finished her education in Detroit Lakes, graduating from Detroit Lakes High School. She moved to Fargo, ND, where she worked as a waitress and also for the Manchester Company. On October 22, 1949 she was united in marriage to George Hamre at the Atlanta Lutheran Church near Lake Park, MN. They farmed and raised their family near Audubon, MN. Over the years Donna worked for Rog Roy's Jack and Jill Grocery Store in Detroit Lakes, and Matzke's General Store and Gottenborg Grocery in Audubon. She later worked for Hoffman's Town and Country Meats in Detroit Lakes. She thoroughly enjoyed working there and interacting with the customers, and often shared stories of the fun times at Hoffman's. Donna loved time spent with her family. Christmas with her family was very special to her. She had a contagious smile and a comforting laugh and enjoyed visiting with people. She was known to be a good cook and baker. Rhubarb Pie, Banana Bread and Pickled Beets were among her specialties. She loved sports and followed many of the local teams, as well as the Chicago Bulls Basketball team. She was an active member of the First Lutheran Church in Audubon, the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, and Sons of Norway. She is survived by one daughter, Judy (Rod) Gartner, of Fargo, ND; three sons, Mark (Kathy) Hamre, of Hawley, MN; Clark (Leann) Hamre, of Fergus Falls, MN; and Clayton Hamre, of Audubon, MN; nine grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; one sister, Wilma Godfrey, of Colorado Springs, CO; several nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Bev Morton. She was preceded in death by her husband, George (2008); one sister, Beverly Thomas; and her parents.