Donna Theis

Donna Mae Theis, 86, of Baxter, MN died at Northern Lakes Senior Living in Baxter, MN on Wednesday, March 21, 2018. A Mass of Christian Burial for Donna will be held on Saturday, April 7th, 2018 at 12:00PM at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Brainerd, MN with visitation two hours prior to services at the church. Interment will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Nisswa, MN.

Donna was born on November 8, 1931 in Buffalo, MN to Olaf and Ethel (DesMarais) Olson. She graduated from Monticello High School. Donna was united into marriage to Larry Theis on January 28, 1950 in Monticello, MN. They made their home in the cities and also enjoyed spending many summers going to Fawn Lake before moving to Clark Lake in Nisswa in 1978. They then made their home in Pequot Lakes before moving to Baxter, MN. She enjoyed cooking, baking pies and cookies, and bread. Donna liked gardening, canning, quilting, garage saling, and traveling. She loved teaching her grandchildren all of her favorite traditions so they can carry them on in their families. Donna’s greatest love was spending time with her children and grandchildren and also competitive card playing.

Donna is survived by her husband, Larry; children, Kathie (Darwin) Upton of Dayton, MN, Pat (Dennis) Borchardt of Elko-New Market, MN, Connie Cotterman of Burnsville, MN, Steve (Marissa) Theis of Baudette, MN, Leo Theis of North Richland Hills, TX, and Mary (Jon) Baumann of Nisswa, MN; son-in-law, Tom Strand of Burnsville, MN; eighteen grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; sisters, Marcella Weiman, Eda Secord, and Anita O’Dell; all of her daycare children; and foreign exchange son, Rodrigo Vasquez of Santiago, Chile. She was preceded in death by her parents; two daughters, Teresa Strand and infant daughter, Linda Lee; son-in-law, Doug Cotterman; four brothers, Albin, Paul, Frank, and Stanley Olson; and one sister, Loretta Christenson. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Northern Lakes Senior Living for the wonderful and loving care they gave to Donna. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter, MN.