Obituary of Donna Helen Meuwissen

Meuwissen, Donna H. age 88. Died surrounded by loving family at Reflections Hospice in Northfield MN on 9/23/2016 after a long journey with Alzheimer's dementia. Donna was born in Chaska MN on 2/15/1928 to Emil and Elizabeth (Graff) Schalow. She was very athletic as a young woman, serving as a lifeguard in Chaska, playing fastpitch softball, bowling and volleyball and then golfing into her 70's. She married Joseph Meuwissen on Aug. 2, 1952. They lived in Minneapolis and then Bloomington MN. She raised 6 children (and their friends) and hosted 2 AFS students, Ian and Kathja whom she loved as her own. When her youngest child started school, she went to work at Republic/Northwest Airlines, retiring in 1990. Donna and Joe loved traveling the world, visiting family and friends and spending winter months in TX. She was an avid Gopher Football fan. She spent countless hours in many volunteer capacities in the community and at her church. She was like the energizer bunny, always on the go, and she never met a stranger. Donna was predeceased by her parents, brother and sister-in-law Alan (Bud) and Cec Schalow, and husband Joe, who were there to greet her in heaven. She is survived by her children Joe, Rick, Lynn, Kay, Paul and Nancy, daughters-in-law Deb, Kathy and Laurie, grandchildren Caresa, Chad, Kelly (Clint), Joe Jr., Matt (Maja), Sarah (Steven), Anna, Susan (Chris), Josh (Alyssa), Lindsay, Payton & Logan, 7 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grand-child, and many cousins, nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved dearly. Memorial mass will be held at 11 am on Wed., 9/28/16 at Church of St. Bonaventure, 901 E. 90th St, Bloomington. The family will greet visitors on Tuesday from 4-7 pm and again on Wed beginning at 10 am at the church. Inurnment will be at Ft. Snelling. In lieu of flowers the family would prefer memorials to the Alzheimer's Association, Mount Olivet Day Services, Reflections Hospice of Northfield, The Villages of Lonsdale, the church, or donor's choice. Published on September 24, 2016