Donna May (Goehring) Martin

Donna M. Martin, age 69, of Glenwood, MN, died unexpectedly on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 4th at Glenwood Lutheran Church with Rev Krista Lee officiating. Visitation will be at the church, one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will follow in Glenwood Lutheran Cemetery. Arrangements are with Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home of Glenwood.

Donna was born on November 14, 1956, in Fort Collins, CO, to Ervin and Dorothy (Ekblad) Goehring. She was the fourth of six children and grew up in Glenwood, MN, where she graduated from Glenwood High School in 1975.  She later attended Alexandria Technical College, where she earned an Associate’s degree before completing her Bachelor’s degree through Kaplan University.

On October 30, 1976, Donna was united in marriage to Gary Curtis Martin at the United Methodist Church in Glenwood. Their wedding was celebrated with a dance that doubled as a Halloween party. Donna liked to joke and say that they earned first prize in the costume contest as “bride and groom”. She and Gary made their home in Glenwood, where they raised their two children, Corey and Sara. Together they shared a strong partnership in life and work, and their marriage was a source of love and stability for those around them. Donna and Gary shared 47 years of marriage before his death on December 1, 2023.

Donna’s first job after marriage was at Lakeview Good Samaritan Nursing Home as a physical therapy and nursing assistant. Her compassion and steady nature made her a trusted presence to residents, families, and coworkers alike. She and Gary later started Martin Communication Services, where they worked side by side for 22 years, providing telecommunication services to the community. After the business wound down, Donna continued her career in Information Technology with the Upper Sioux Tribe and later with Pope County, where she remained until her retirement. Throughout her working life, she was known as thoughtful, generous, and handy, always ready to lend her skills to a project or help solve a problem.

Donna lived her faith through the way she treated others. She gave generously of her time and talents to countless individuals and to her community. She was a former Glenwood City Commissioner, a member of the VFW Auxiliary, and a lifetime member of Glenwood Lutheran Church. She was someone who believed in helping where help was needed, and she carried that spirit into every part of her life.

The highlight of Donna’s life was her grandchildren. She thought the sun rose and set on Carson and Callie, and they brought her immeasurable joy. She treasured time with her family and took great pride in the lives of her children and grandchildren. Her love and support were constant, and she will be remembered for the steady encouragement she gave to those she loved most.

Donna enjoyed coin collecting, and she also liked to try her hand at crocheting and gardening. She welcomed a challenge and found satisfaction in learning, creating, and helping others. Her friends and family knew her as someone who could be counted on, and her presence brought comfort, laughter, and strength to many.

Donna passed away very unexpectedly on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND, following a sudden medical incident.

Donna is survived by her children, Corey Martin, and Sara and Justin Meyer Martin of Glenwood; her grandchildren, Carson and Callie Meyer; her sisters, Patricia Zaffke and Tammy Goehring; her brother-in-law, Steven Martin; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and countless friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ervin and Dorothy Goehring; her husband, Gary Martin; and her siblings, James “Jim” Goehring and his wife, Jean, Kathleen Gilbertson and her husband, Larry, and Pam Goehring.

Donna will be remembered for her unwavering love, her generous spirit, and the many ways she quietly made life better for the people around her. Her life was one of service, devotion, and enduring care, and her memory will remain a blessing to all who knew and loved her.

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