Donna Mary Barlass

Donna Mary Hutchinson Barlass was born to Art and Blanche Hutchinson, on February 7th, 1937, in
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. She joined a family of two older sisters, Joyce and Helen, followed by baby
Dorothy. They lived in Nekoosa, Wisconsin, in an old school house that her dad remodeled into their
home. During Donna's formative years she played piano, violin, and was an avid book reader. In her
adult life, she enjoyed book clubs, Bible studies and discussing social issues.

Donna graduated from Nekoosa high school in 1956, worked at the local electric company for a few
months, then went off to cosmetology school in Madison, Wisconsin. In school, she sang in the Pres
House Choir and met a University of Wisconsin student, Mac. They played the lead romantic roles for
Oklahoma at Pres House, and got married in 1958. They raised three children, Anne, Shelly and Kirk.
Donna worked as a hair stylist, nursing home activities director, and later as a florist. She made wedding
arrangements out of her home and created professional designs for Joann Ann Fabrics and Crafts. She
also made the customary move scenario for Mac's job several times. They lived in West Virginia;
Janesville, Wisconsin; Monroe, Wisconsin; Lanark, Illinois, and Franklin Grove, Illinois.

They finished their careers and retired in Stillwater, MN. Think about that for a minute; “lay down
beside still waters,” from Psalm 23. After Mac’s death in 2017, Donna sold the family home and moved
to Oak Park Villas. She had many friends there who watched over and cared for each other into their
senior years.

Her very close Villa neighbors met bi-weekly, even during parts of the pandemic, to have discussion,
share complaints and have lots of laughs. Donna was a faithful church worker, not simply an attendee,
all of her adult life. She served on several committees, was very active with Presbyterian women, and
sang in many church choirs for 63 years. She made quilts for all her kids and grandkids. In August of
2023, Donna moved to assisted living at Oak Park Senior Living and stayed for 10 days. After a 7-day stay
in Lakeview Hospital, God took her home.

Donna is welcomed in Heaven by her husband of almost 60 years; her parents; sister; uncles, aunts and
cousins.

She will wait up there for her children, Anne, Kirk (Kristine), and Shelly; grandkids, Kastina, Jarek (Sissy),
Clair, Cai Lan, Aidan; step-grandkids, Logan, Ellen and Colleen; one great-grandchild on the way; and her
beloved dog, Sandy.

Many thanks to Good Samaritan Rehab Center, medical team at Lakeview Hospital and Oak Park Senior
Living staff for top-notch care in the winter of Donna's life.

Memorials preferred to Community Thread (providing rides for seniors), First Presbyterian Church Music Fund, or Ruff Start Animal Rescue.

Visitation from 6-8PM, on Sunday, October 29th, at Bradshaw Celebration of Life Center (Stillwater).
Celebration of Life Service at 11AM, Monday, October 30th, at First Presbyterian Church (6201 N.
Osgood, Ave., Stillwater). Visitation one hour prior. Immediate burial and reception to follow.


A livestream of today's service will be viewable from here:
https://fpc-stillwater.org/live/