Mary Ellen Donth, age 83, of Magnolia, Minnesota, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, November 30, 2023, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
A visitation will be Wednesday, December 6, from 4:30-7 p.m. at Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne, Minnesota. A funeral service will be Thursday, December 7, at 10:30 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church in Luverne with burial to follow at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.
To view Mary’s life history or sign an online registry, please visit www.hartquistfuneral.com.
“She always had the most beautiful smile and her laugh warmed everyone who heard it … what a wonderful woman.” – Touching Tribute
Mary Ellen Donth was born September 26, 1940, to Egbert and Alice (Meyers) Smit in Lennox, South Dakota. After a short time in Lennox, the family moved to a farm in Vienna Township outside of Luverne, Minnesota. Mary was confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church in Luverne where she remained a lifelong, faithful, member. Mary attended country school District #28 through the eighth grade. She then attended Luverne High School, where she graduated in 1958.
Getting together with classmates was something Mary looked forward to as she attended and helped plan class reunions. After graduation, Mary worked as a waitress in the area, including the Magnolia Steakhouse, making many great friendships over the 30-plus years she worked there. Mary met and married the love of her life, Karen Donth, in 1960.
The couple resided in the Magnolia area, living in several houses before finding their home, a home they would remain in for the rest of their lives. She retired from waitressing in 2002 and was delighted to have more time to spend in her gardens.
Mary adored raising their five children who brought endless joy to her life, and she was enormously grateful they were by her side in her final days.
On August 4, 2023, Mary lost her “soul mate” when Karen passed away. On November 30, Mary joined Karen in the arms of their Savior Jesus at the age of 83 years, 2 months, and 4 days.
Mary was a regular attender of many social events at the church and in the community. She looked forward to art and musical events at the Washington Pavilion as well as in Luverne with the Green Earth Players. Mary loved spending time outdoors tending to her vegetable and flower gardens as well as feeding the birds and squirrels. She was very talented at sewing, quilting, embroidering, and other hand-stitching. Mary is remembered by many for her infectious laughter, her affectionate hugs, and her willingness to always lend a hand. She easily engaged in conversation with everyone she came across and never met a stranger. At the end of a busy day, Mary could be found relaxing with a good book. The most important things in Mary’s life were her faith, family, and her husband, Karen. Our hearts were broken when having to say goodbye.
Left to cherish Mary’s memory are her children, Lori (Butch) Fletcher of Worthington, Minnesota; Peggy Donth of Apple Valley, Minnesota; David “Toby” Donth of Luverne, Minnesota; Mark Donth of Mankato, Minnesota; and Troy (Lisa) Donth of Good Thunder, Minnesota; grandchildren Alexander (Kayla) Donth of Brainerd, Minnesota, and Nicholas Donth of Brainerd, Minnesota; great-grandchild Leo Donth of Brainerd, Minnesota; brother Virgil Smit of Arden Hills, Minnesota; a sister-in-law Kim Donth of Luverne, Minnesota, as well as several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Karen Donth, and parents, Egbert and Alice Smit.