Donna Hinnenkamp

Donna M. Hinnenkamp, age 72 of Meire Grove, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 8, 2021 at the CentraCare Care Center in Melrose, Minnesota after a 10-year courageous battle with cancer.

A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Meire Grove with Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating.  Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Donna Marie Lahr was born September 20th, 1948 in Sartell, Minnesota to Andrew and Clara (Lorenz) Lahr. She graduated from St. Cloud Cathedral High School and obtained her bachelor’s degree from St. Cloud State University. Donna was united in marriage to Wilfred Hinnenkamp (second marriage for each of them) on December 12, 1979 in Douglas County and shortly after moved to Melrose, Minnesota. In 1986 Donna and her family moved to Meire Grove, where she lived for the remainder of her life.

Donna was a social individual who was passionate about interacting with and helping others. Throughout her life, she worked as a saleswoman at the Melrose Beacon and Gordon’s Jewelers, a caretaker for individuals with developmental disabilities, a plant worker at Melrose Dairy Proteins, and a caring and supportive Mom and Grandmother (although she would never have called that a job).  During her retirement and battle with cancer, she also worked as a cashier at Walmart because she missed the social interaction with colleagues and customers that accompanied her previous sales jobs.

Donna was a devout member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Meire Grove. She enjoyed building relationships with others, music and dancing, traveling, gardening, walks outdoors, and spending time with her family.

Survivors include her husband, Wilfred Hinnenkamp of Meire Grove; brother, Vern Lahr of White Bear, Minnesota; sons, Chad (Melissa) Rowe of Wyoming, Minnesota, and Jay Hinnenkamp of Murfreesboro, Tennesse; stepchildren, Jeff, Gwen (Marson) Michels, Bruce (Debbie), Brian (Trina), Scott (Diane), Shannon, Mark, Wayne (Rowena); and her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Victor & Dell; and faithful companion, Michiko.

Donna’s sense of humor, kindness, and dedication to her family will be sorely missed but never forgotten.