Donna V. (Johnson) Sandquist

Donna Sandquist, age 94, of Glenwood, formerly of Terrace, died Monday, March 30, 2020, at Glenwood Village Care Center. Due to governmental restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no public services. Instead, a private family service officiated by Pastor Ron Knutson will be held, with burial to follow in Chippewa Falls Lutheran Cemetery in Terrace. Arrangements are with Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home of Glenwood.

Donna Vye Johnson was born July 10, 1925, in Brooten, MN to George B. and Alma (Hystad) Johnson. She was raised on a farm two miles northwest of Terrace, in Pope County and attended School District 69 through the 8th grade. She then attended four years of high school at Augustana Academy located at Canton, SD. After graduation, she attended Normal Training in Glenwood, MN, where she received her teacher’s certificate and taught in the rural schools for 20 years. Donna didn’t have any children of her own, but she always said she considered her students to be her “kids”.

On December 28, 1946, Donna married Wendell Peterson at Chippewa Falls Lutheran Church in Terrace. They built a house in Terrace, where Wendell worked as a carpenter and mechanic. The two shared 25 years of marriage before Wendell’s death in March of 1972.

In 1973, Donna was united in marriage to Joseph O. Sandquist, a farmer from Plaza, North Dakota. Joe was born near Sunburg, MN, but moved with his family to North Dakota at the age of 10. Following their marriage, the two primarily made their home on Joe’s farm west of Minot but they also maintained Donna’s home in Terrace. In 1997, they sold Joe’s farm and retired to Donna’s home in Terrace. Joe passed away on October 14, 2001. Donna continued to reside in her home until December of 2015, when she became a resident at Glenwood Village Care Center.

Donna taught Sunday school, was a church organist for many years, and sang with many choirs. After she married Joe, they combined his violin talent with her piano and organ skills, to entertain at senior citizen centers, retirement homes, anniversary parties, church services and other events. She was also an artist and enjoyed painting. In her youth, Donna was a 4-H member and participated in Luther League and Lutheran Daughters of the Reformation. Donna enjoyed traveling and after her marriage to Joe, the two traveled extensively, including three trips to Norway.

Donna attended Scandia Free Lutheran Church near Terrace and during her years in North Dakota, she and Joe were charter members of Our Savior’s Free Lutheran Church in Stanley.

Donna is survived by a brother-in-law, Norman Skarpness of Columbus, GA, and a sister-in-law, Elverna Johnson of Sunburg, five nieces, Dian (Pickens) Gantt, Teresa (Tom) Mayer, Sandy (Greg) Fahn, Debbie (Bill) Steele, and Lola (Randy) Underwood; five nephews, Bradley (Suzette) Skarpness, Gary (Marion) Skarpness, Kevin Skarpness, Orlo (Janet) Johnson, and Wesley (Kathi) Johnson; along with many great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Alma; her sisters, Dorothy (Ardell) Johnson and Marlene Skarpness; her brother, Gerhard; and his son, Vernon Johnson.

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