Obituary of Donna Schilling

Donna (Ferdon) Schilling died Sept. 25, 2015 at 82 years of age. She was born Sept. 17, 1933 near Osakis, Minn. Donna moved to Duluth, in 1943 and resided in Duluth since that time. She filled many roles in her life including that of wife, mother, gardener, musician, artist and seamstress, but her true calling was that of writer. Donna self-published four books of memoir and shared her love of writing by teaching memoir writing in the Duluth Community Education program. Donna touched many lives in this way. She was much loved by family and friends. She will be missed. She was preceded in death by B. Hartley Schilling, her husband of 53 years. Donna is survived by her son, Hartley Schilling (Carmen Olejniczak) and her daughter, Dawn Schilling (John Guttermann); sisters, Wanda Jones and Yvonne (Donald) Dohr; brother Gerald (Joan) Ferdon; sister-in-law, Barbara (Roger) Kolquist; in addition to many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Dr. Mark Goellner. His many years of care for Donna were key to her living to 82 years of age. GATHERING OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS: 9 a.m. until the 10 a.m. memorial service Saturday, Oct. 3, in the Cremation Society of Minnesota Chapel, 4100 Grand Ave., Duluth, 218-624-5200. Memorials to the Lake Superior Writers for a Donna Schilling Scholarship will be appreciated. Checks may be sent to: Lake Superior Writers (Scholarship Fund in the memo line) 1301 Rice Lake Road, Suite 129, Duluth, MN 55801