Donna R. (Kirkpatrick) Church

Donna (Kirkpatrick) Church, 97, a longtime Elk River resident, passed away peacefully on December 31st . Preceded in death by her husband James and son Patrick. Survived by son Philip (Lisa), daughters Lynette “Sam”  Robinson (Craig), Anne Church (Denis Stamaris) ; six grandchildren and six great-grand-children. 

Donna was from Carthage Illinois and was the eldest of 5 children. She received her nursing degree in 1945  from Methodist Hospital in Peoria, Ill. She & Jim married that same year & moved to Madison Wisconsin. Donna started her nursing career there at  Madison General Hospital  while putting Jim through college. In Minnesota, Donna was the Head Nurse of the Neurology Unit at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis.

Donna cherished her family  and was a deeply  caring, generous and compassionate wife and mother. She was a writer of poetry & short stories,  a great cook, gardener and a voracious reader  She & Jim traveled extensively. Donna loved all creatures but especially birds. She & Jim cared for many bluebird houses, on their land, along with many bird feeders. Even during her final months,  hummingbirds at her window feeder brought great joy. Her faith in God and her church were an integral part of her life as she manifested her faith in small daily actions. Donna was warm, kind, gentle and universally accepting of others. She had a unique way of influencing others in a subtle, understated way. All who knew Donna felt her imprint. 

She spent her final years in Sandstone at Golden Horizons and was blessed with excellent care by staff there and by Ecumen Hospice.

Memorials to the National Audubon Society “In Honor of Donna Church”.

Visitation from 2-4 p.m., Sunday 1/9, Dare’s Funeral Home 805 Main St. NW, Elk River, MN.

Celebration of Life to be held in May of 2022 date TBD.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donna R. (Kirkpatrick) Church, please visit our floral store.