A livestream of the service can be viewed at https://www.cornerstoneminot.com/watch
Donna Marsland, 91, Minot, died at Edgewood Assisted Living.
Donna Jean was born August 28th, 1932, near Norma, ND to Florence (McGillivray) and Walter St. Croix Sr.
Donna’s education included time at Norma ND, Lincoln School in Minot, and Minot Model where she graduated in 1951. While attending Minot Teachers College (1951- 1953) she joined Beta Theta Sorority and was the freshmen editor of the Red and Green Campus paper. She met fellow classmate Dale Marsland at Mouse River Park and they were later married on February 7th, 1953. The couple were blessed with three children, Tom, and twins, Mike and Jean.
They lived in Minnesota for a time, and after returning to Minot in the early 70s, Donna became the first female Real Estate Broker in the city. Along with her husband, Dale, and son, Tom, they opened Marsland Realty and Builders. Donna, Dale, and their son, Mike, also owned and operated an oil field services business in Williston, ND. In the 1980s, Donna made a career change. She went back to school and gained advanced studies in Clinical Pastoral Education. She received certification along with her sister Linda Harris as certified volunteer educators by the state of ND. The two were instrumental in starting the hospice program at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Minot, ND.
Donna became a Commissioned Lay Pastor with the Presbyterian Church and served as Campus Pastor at MSU for over 17 years. During that time, she and Dale took many students on Mission Trips to Mexico during spring break. While she was at Minot State she also established a Women’s Research Center for older than average students and in 1994, received the ‘Woman of the Year’ award for the City of Minot.
Donna and her husband Dale volunteered at Sheldon Jackson College in Sitka, AK after retirement. She was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church, and served as a Sunday School Teacher, an ordained Elder, and a member of the Women’s Association and the Saturday Sister’s Book Club. After a call to pastor the Westhope, ND Presbyterian Church, she served the Minot Presbyterian Church visiting shut-ins, those in nursing homes and assisted living centers in Minot. She loved listening to people’s life stories, sharing her faith, and encouraging others.
Donna’s loving family includes her daughter-in-law Sue (Tom, deceased) Marsland, son Mike (Julie) Marsland and daughter Jean (Mark) Frueh; sister Linda (Ron) Terfehr, sister-in-law Sharon (Jerry, deceased) Deslauriers, brother-in-law Dean (Emily, deceased); 7 grandchildren: Allison (Eric) Creelman, Kerrie (Steve) Oster, Aaron (Tracey) Marsland, Liz Sagaser, Molly (Andy) Bangasser, Jacque Vasquez and Jon Michael (Josie) Frueh; 17 great-grandchildren: Ethan, Cali (David) Pellenwessel, Spencer, Arin, Cameron, Paisley, Truett, Evelyn, Brooks, Paxton, William, Brynlee, Sophia, Carter, Owen, Olivia, and Parker; great-great-grandchild: Addi; many nieces and nephews with special mention of Scott, Buttons, and Katie.
Donna was preceded in death by her husband Dale, parents Walter and Florence; son Tom; father-and mother-in-law Thomas and Carrie; brother Bud; brothers-in-law Charlie and Bob, and sisters-in-law Connie and Emily; and infant great-granddaughter Ava Marsland.
A Celebration of Life in Memory of Donna Jean Marsland will be held on Friday, July 5th at 1pm in Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, Minot. A livestream of the service can be viewed at https://www.cornerstoneminot.com/watch
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the start of the service in the church.
Memorials preferred to Cornerstone Presbyterian Church
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