1947 – Donna Mae Van Dam – 2018
Donna Mae Van Dam was born on February 18, 1947 in Slayton, MN to Dick and Angie (Masselink) Talsma. As a youth she lived northeast of Chandler, MN and attended Chandler Christian School. Later they moved to a farm south of Chandler and she attended Southwest Christian High School, graduating in 1965. In 1966, her son Kevin was born. She worked for Northwest Bell Telephone Company in the Twin Cities as a key punch operator. Later she moved to Sanborn, IA with her son. On August 15, 1974 she was married to Marvin Van Dam at the Chandler Reformed Church. They lived on a dairy farm Northwest of Chandler for 9 years. While there three children were added to the family. In 1983, they moved to an acreage east of Chandler. She worked as a church custodian and also at Huisken Meat Center.
Donna enjoyed to read, doing counted cross stitch, traveling, especially to see the covered bridges, watching the Minnesota Vikings games, going to Southwest Christian ball games and watching her grandkids in different activities. Donna always enjoyed her breakfast with her friends. She enjoyed looking out the window at the valley and the animals that would walk by.
She is survived by her husband Marvin of 44 years, two daughters, Melanie (Jason) Vander Schaaf, Chandler, Nancy (Thom) Forsha, Prospect, KY; Seven Granddaughters, Kayla, Raegan, Rebecca and Kennedy Vander Schaaf, Hannah, Madison and Morgan Forsha; her father, Dick Talsma, Edgerton, MN; Brothers, Raymond (Sharon) Talsma, Chandler, Glen (Marcia) Talsma, Edgerton, and Roger (Pam) Talsma, Chandler; Sisters, Dorothy (Verle) VanderPloeg, Sibley, IA, Diane (David) Jurgensen, Worthington, MN, Darla (Curt) Wieneke, Windom, MN and Denise (Scott) Marquardt, Plymouth, WI; Brothers and Sisters-in- Law, Henry (Marie) Van Dam Chandler, Albert (Sandy) Van Dam, Slayton, MN, Kathy (Verlin) Rylaarsdam, Chandler, Marcella (John) Groen, Chandler, Connie (Roger) Hacker, Canby, MN and Della (Aldon) Klassen, Sioux Falls, SD and many nephews, nieces and friends.
She was proceeded in death by her two sons: Kevin and Paul; her mother, Angie, and her sister, Delores (DeDe) Doyscher.
Donna Van Dam, 71, of Chandler, Died on Thursday, December 20, 2018 at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Visitation was held on Thursday, Dec. 27 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at the Chandler Christian Reformed Church. Services were held on Friday, Dec. 28 at the Chandler Christian Reformed Church with Rev. Joshua Christoffels officiating, Organist is Pat Holm and Casket Bearers are Kurt Talsma, Greg Talsma, Kyle Talsma, Joel Talsma, Steve Talsma and Alan Van Dam. Honorary Casket Bearers were her granddaughters. Interment is at the Chandler Memorial Cemetery.
The Chandler Funeral Home is assisting the family.
