Donna Lou Beavers was born August 29, 1931 to Gerald “Pete”
and Ida (Engler) Beavers in Rushseba township, Chisago county. She was the third and final “little
beaver” to be added to the family. She spent her early childhood years growing up on the St. Croix
River and always referred to the farm there, as her home. Early on Donna attended the Rock Creek Baptist
Church and in 1945 was confirmed at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rush City. Donna attended
Rush City Schools and graduated from Rush City High School in 1949. She was very proud of being a “49er”
and always looked forward to her class reunions.
Following
graduation, she spent the summer with her oldest sister Phyllis and her family in Seattle, Washington. In
the fall, she returned to Minneapolis to attend Med-Tech School. In 1951, she met earl Hammargren and on
May 4, 1951 they were united in marriage at the First Evangelical Lutheran church of Rush City. They made
their home on Earl’s family farm in Fish Lake Township and raised three children; Jill, Robin and John on the farm.
Donna was a very active, energetic, hard working woman who
had many hobbies and interests. She loved being able to drive nice cars offering rides to all who needed
them; she was known as the “neighborhood taxi”. Donna loved music; the radio or records were
always being played. She gave great haircuts along with complimentary cake and coffee. No
one every stopped at the farm and left without eating. She was a great cook!
Reading was her passion-she inhaled books and had
a vast library. Bowling was also an interest; bowling in Pine City for many years. Wednesday
night was her night out; she would head for the Harris Hotel and pick up her friends and go to the Pine City Lanes.
State tournament time, was her weekend away from the farm; she always left with a car full of woman and returned home
with many stories and memories.
As times on the farm became more prosperous, Donna and Earl added both snowmobiles and motorcycles. She
enjoyed anything she could drive and was talented enough to keep everything in tip-top mechanical shape. Everyone
knew of her “Tool Purse”; she wanted to be able to ride whenever the opportunity arose
Summers on the farm were especially busy, in addition to the normal planting, haying, harvesting
cycle- there were always “extras” about. She loved having family and friends around; her sister
Gerry’s kids would come and stay for the summer and when sister Phyllis and her kids would come from Washington State
for a visit; her summer was complete. She really enjoyed any opportunity to share the “farm life”
with all her nieces and nephews, as well as anyone else that happened by the farm.
Donna made an impression on all who knew her; she was loved by many and will be missed but
remembered by all.
Donna is survived by her children;
Jill Olson (Rick Ferraro) of Hugo, Robin (John) Young of Moose Lake, John (Julie) Hammargren of Harris, grandchildren:
Eric (Renae) Olson, Jessica (Craig) Nihart, Matthew Sickler (Kendra), Michael Sickler, Desiree Sickler, Denise Young, Jake
Young, Joe Young, Justin Hammargren, Jodie Hammargren, great grandchildren: Trenton Miller, Mason & Sophia
Olson, Charlie Nihart, Ryleigh Sickler her aunt Margaret Holler and brother-in-law Gene Olson.
Donna was preceded in death by her
parents Gerald “Pete” and Ida (Engler) Beavers, husband Earl Hammargren, sisters Geraldine Olson, Phyllis (John)
Banks and her nephew Greg Olson.
