Donna J. Anderson (Spry), 88, passed away Thursday February 26, 2026 in Grand Marais, MN.

Born August 15, 1937 in Cloquet, MN to Mitchel Wilfred Spry and Charlotte Theresa Rousseau.  She grew up in Duluth with her 6 younger siblings.

After graduating from Duluth Central in 1955, she married and was a homemaker raising 4 children in Knife River, MN.  For many years she was the Post Mistress at the Knife River branch of the US Post Office located in Jackson’s General Store.

After raising her children, Donna’s focus was advocating for those in need, starting with her position at DIAC in Duluth working with the Native American community.  Donna was a champion for victim’s rights as she worked with the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Centers in Duluth.

Her passion led her to St. Paul, MN where Governor Rudy Perpich appointed her to the St. of MN Crime Victims Task Force as the 1st State Crime Ombudsman to help victims recover reparations for their trauma.  She also served on Gov. Perpich’s Task Force on Missing Children and was the Communications Coordinator for the Advisory Committee for the Victim Services Information System.

Donna was a Grand Portage Band member of the MN Chippewa Tribe.  She moved to Grand Portage over 30 yrs. ago working for the Tribe in Domestic Violence, the Grand Portage Elders, and ending her career as the Director of HR for over 20 yrs. before retiring.

Donna is proceeded in death by her parents, son Curt, brothers John/Mitch/Don, and sister Theresa.

Donna is survived by her sons Kevin (Trish) and Ronald, daughter Laureen, sisters Betty (Ferd) Martineau and Bonnie (Rick) Johnson, grandsons Jesse and Clayton (Kaila) Anderson, granddaughter Michaela Carlson, and many nieces and nephews.

There will be no service per Donna’s wishes.  In lieu of flowers, please donate to your choice of victim’s charities.

The family would like to thank the staff at the North Shore Living Center in Grand Marais for the great care, love, and respect given to Donna and for the tremendous amount of grace shown during her last moments.