Donna J. Anderson

Donna Jean Anderson was born on March 17, 1941, to the late Lea and Ernest LaFrance in North Dakota. She was the oldest of six children, all of whom stayed in close contact. She is survived by Ernest, Jr. (Butch) LaFrance, Linda Walish, Tim & Terry LaFrance, and preceded in death by her sister, Louise Hartung.

Donna graduated from St. Mary's Catholic School in Devils Lake, North Dakota and soon meet and married the love of her life, Melvin Anderson. They met while Donna was working as a waitress and he left her .25 cents for a .10 cup of coffee. That became an investment for a lifetime! They married in 1959 and welcomed their son, Doug, in 1960. Robin arrived in 1962, and Stacy in 1964. The Anderson Family moved to Ceres, California in 1965 when Melvin accepted a teaching job at Ceres High School. Toni arrived in 1968 and Erin followed in 1971. Donna is preceded in death by her daughter, Toni.

Donna and Mel built their Ceres home and moved into the home in 1968, where they lived for the next forty-nine years. I am sure everyone reading this has fond memories of the love and good times flowing from their home.

Donna was very talented in sculpture, painting, drawing and decorating. She focused her talents on home decorating and started working at Home Interiors and Gifts, Inc. when her youngest child, Erin, was only three months old. She rose to the level of a manager. She forged many life long friendships while at Home Interiors.

Donna collected friends throughout her lifetime and took those relationships to heart. Mary Ann Vierra became a second mom to the Anderson family and Donna became a second mom to Mary Ann's family. The SOS "girls night out" group kept her young and provided reasons to keep shopping at Khols and Macy's.

Donna is loved by many because she loved many. It is her husband, children and grandchildren that will miss her in ways that words cannot describe. The holidays were magical and special because of the love she poured into her family. She never said no and was always willing to help. She taught so many lessons and we didn't realize we were being molded because she just had that special way.

Donna had Parkinson's Disease, but one quickly forgot because she carried this burden in an unselfish and uncomplaining way...which is how she approached life. Donna lived passionately, kept God in front of her, and lived each moment to the fullest. Rest in peace, Donna, our sweet angel.