Donna Mae Lerol

Donna Mae Lerol, 69, of Finley, ND, died Friday, October 1, 2010 at the Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND. Donna Mae Smith was born on April 8, 1941, and was the fourth of five children born to Wallace H. “Toots” and Marie (Alsdurf) Smith of rural Aneta, ND, in Steele County. Except for fourth grade, Donna attended school at Sharon, ND. Fourth grade for Donna was spent at Union School, rural Rolette, ND, living with her aunt and school teacher, Edith Ellingson, because Donna’s mother was a tuberculosis patient at San Haven. After returning to her family home farm, she went back to school at Sharon, graduating from Sharon High School as valedictorian in 1959. Donna attended Mayville State Teachers College, receiving her two year standard teaching degree in December of 1960. On September 2, 1959, Donna was married to Ronald Orvin Vernel Lerol of Hatton, ND, in the Aneta Community Church, Aneta, ND. Three children were born of this union: Tami Kaye on March 4, 1961; Kurt Lane on December 3, 1963; and Kraig Shane on June 3, 1967. The couple resided in Dilworth, Larimore, Aneta, and Bismarck before moving to Finley where they have lived since 1970. Donna was an elementary school teacher in Larimore and Finley. Later she did substitute teaching and worked part time in a flower shop. Donna was an active member of Finley Lutheran Church where she had taught Sunday school, vacation Bible school, adult Bible studies, and served on the church council. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Aneta and was a Past Matron of the Order of Eastern Star. Spending time at the cabin at Red Willow Lake with family and friends was enjoyable for Donna. She also liked reading, making greeting cards, and doing hardanger, a Norwegian embroidery. Donna collected frogs to remind her to “Fully Rely On God.” It was this constant reminder to rely on her faith that helped her walk the journey with breast cancers. Donna is survived by her husband, Ron; one daughter, Tami (Tom) McKay of Brookline, NH; two sons, Kurt Lerol of Fargo, ND and Kraig (Jackee) Lerol of Portland, ND; three grandsons, Brant McKay, Cade McKay and Drake McKay; one brother-in-law, John (Claudia) Bergan of Fargo, ND; one sister-in-law, Donna Smith of Sharon, ND; three step-grandsons, Lukas (Janelle) Brandon, David (Nichole) Brandon and Jordan (Jenna) Brandon; six step-great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, William “Billy” and Gene Smith, two sisters, Lois Bergan and Doris Marie Smith, who died in infancy. “You can leave me in God’s care and keeping which had kept me in this life.” The family requests no flowers be sent; memorials preferred to donor’s choice. Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 8, 2010 at Finley Evangelical Lutheran Church in Finley, ND. Visitation: One hour prior to the funeral service, at the church. Burial: Silent Hill Cemetery, Aneta, ND.