Kathleen M. Donda

Kathleen M. Donda, 76, of Rochester,MN died on Thursday (January 30, 2025) of natural causes at Edenbrook Rochester West where she had been a resident for the past 6 months.

Kathleen Mae Donda was born October 27, 1948 in Austin,MN to George and Florence(Svobony) Donda. She grew up on the family farm in rural Austin,MN attended a country school in Lansing,MN through the 8th grade and graduated from Austin HS in 1967. Kathleen was born with a heart defect and was eventually one of the first people in Minnesota to undergo open heart surgery at the University of Minnesota. Her life expectancy at the time of her surgery was the age of 15 which she obviously exceeded, but her health had a major impact on her life path. She lived with her parents as they moved to Chamberlin,SD, Chatfield and Wabasha and has lived the last 17 years of her life in Rochester. Kathy lived at Estelle and Jean Gustafson Adult Foster Care for many years, where she was family. She loved living there and walked the family dogs daily. She enjoyed reading, Women’s Bible Study at the Rochester Salvation Army, was very artistic and loved horses. Kathy loved time spent with her sister Roberta and husband – Bob and her nieces and great nieces and nephews.                                                                            

Kathy is survived by her sister – Roberta Illes of Inver Grove Heights,MN; 3 nieces – Laura (Dave) Pettey of Stewartville; Nancy(Pat) Loew of Inver Grove Heights,MN and Sherri(Keith) Jorgenson of Stewartville; great nieces and nephews -Nick(Kera) Pettey and Family, Adam(Heather) Pettey and Family, Brady(Yuliia) Loew, Josh (Kayla) Loew and Family, Annabelle Jorgensen, Jack Jorgensen and Oscar Jorgensen. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother-in-law -  Robert Illes.

In keeping with Kathy’s wishes a private family prayer service will take place at Griffin - Gray F.H.in Stewartville. Burial at Riverview Cemetery in Wabasha,MN will take place at a later date. Arrangements are with Griffin Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville. Memories and condolences of Kathy are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com

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