Donna Mae Collison

About Donna

Donna Mae Collison, 93, of Bemidji, MN passed away on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Havenwood Care Center in Bemidji, MN.

Donna was born on August 10, 1930 in Litchfield, MN, the daughter of Reuben and Edna Lavina (Forsberg) Mattson. She grew up in rural Dassel, MN. She graduated from St. Cloud Teacher’s College and moved to Blackduck in 1950 to teach. She married Bruce Collison on August 10, 1952 at the Stockholm Lutheran Church in Stockholm, MN. After marrying Bruce they moved to Hines, MN. Donna was named Teacher of the Year for Blackduck Schools in 1985. She retired from teaching her beloved kindergarten students in 1987. After retirement she and Bruce moved to Blackduck and Mission, Texas. After Bruce’s death in 2006, Donna moved to Bemidji.

Donna was a member of First Lutheran Church in Hines, MN and Calvary Lutheran Church in Bemidji. She enjoyed quilting, gardening, flowers, cooking, reading, and doing puzzles.

Donna is survived by her children, Jeff (Tammy), of Hines, MN, Craig (Becky), of Bemidji, MN, and Gary (Virginia) of Sandy, OR; grandchildren, Chris (Courtney), Cory (Ashlee), Mike (Staci), Steve (Suzy), Blake (Nicole), Kelli (Evan), Leah (Justin), Alex, and Lora; and 8 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Reuben and Lavina; her husband, Bruce; and her siblings, Harold Mattson, Lois Ritter, Janet Luedtke, and Rozanne Provencher.

memorial service

Memorial Service for Donna

October 21, 2023

Cease Family Funeral Home 81 Main St, Blackduck, MN 56630, USA

Pastor Terry Bernstrom will be officiating. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the Funeral Home. Inurnment will be at Ft. Ripley Veteran’s Cemetery at a later date.