Obituary of Donna Mae Stanton

Donna Mae Stanton, loving wife, of 63+ years, to Thomas Stanton and mother of Dean Stanton passed away peacefully on April 8, 2022 at the Annandale Care Centre in Annandale, MN. Donna was born on July 24, 1940 in Sauk Centre, MN and she was preceded in death by her parents Emma and Rueben Eckberg; her Mother/Father-in-law Lois and Ray Stanton; her sister-in-law Sharon Stanton and brother-in-law Gene Eastman.

High School sweethearts, Donna married Tom on September 27, 1958 at the St. Pauls’ Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. They lived first in Sauk Centre and then St Cloud, MN while Tom attended college and then moved to Minneapolis, MN to begin their business careers. After retirement in 1998 they enjoyed their retirement years split between South Haven, MN and San Diego, CA. The Cabo San Lucas annual visits for 20+ years was a special highlight for Donna in the Winter months.

Donna worked for the Telephone Company starting in High School and continuing in St Cloud and Minneapolis before joining her husband in their Manufacturing Representative Business which they owned for twenty-three years.

Donna was a wonderful Grandmother and enjoyed attending to and watching the Grandchildren grow and mature into young professional adults. Regretfully Donna was ill when the Great- Grandchildren were born and she barely got to know them. Donna was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing with friends at various golf clubs in Minnesota and the west coast over the years. She took tremendous pride in her Hosta garden at her retirement home on Lake Francis in South Haven. Always a gracious host to family, friends and neighbors at the lake, she especially enjoyed the social get-together and golf as hosts of the Crabgrass Golf Tournament held for 30+ years.

Survivors include husband Tom Stanton- South Haven/Annandale, MN; son Dean (Sue) Stanton- Chanhassen, MN; Grandchildren- Chad (Alex) Stanton, Abbey Stanton and Dana Stanton; Great Grandchildren Kennedy and Emma Stanton all located in the Minneapolis MN area; her Brother Bill (Kate) Eckberg of Osage, MN- Bill’s children Kari and Sarah of Park Rapids, MN and Josh Eckberg of Los Angeles, CA; and her Sister-in-law Judy Stanton Eastman of New Franken, WI.

Special thanks to the staff of the Annandale Care Centre (Memory Care Cottages and Nursing Home) and the Moments Hospice team for the outstanding care Donna received from them over the last four and half years. The family greatly appreciate their care and compassion.

A Memorial Service (Celebration of Life) will be planned for the summer.

In memory of Donna, memorial donations may be made to:

Alzheimer’s Association

Minnesota-North Dakota Chapter

7900 West 78th St., Suite 100

Minneapolis, MN 554439-2532