Obituary of Donna Wallin

Donna Wallin, 85 years of age, passed away January 26, 2012. Donna was born on April 10, 1926 in Howard Lake, Minnesota to Oscar and Florence Mellin. She was an identical twin and had five other sisters and one brother. When Donna was sixteen, the family moved to the Bradford areas. She graduated from Cambridge High School in 1943. In 1944 Donna and her twin sister Dorothy married the Wallin brothers, Marvin and Clifford in a double wedding ceremony. Donna and Marvin first lived in Minneapolis, they moved back to the Bradford area after a short time. Donna and Marvin then returned to the Wallin family farm in Walbo. Donna lived on the farm after Marvin's passing in 1990 until 1992 when she moved to Cambridge and a house on Ashland St. After a couple of years she realized a longtime dream of having a new house built and she moved into this residence on Marigold St in Cambridge. Donna was very active in the community. She was a member of the Walbo Ladies Aide, and was involved in the Walbo School, DFL and Farmers Union. Through her activities with these groups, Donna helped cater many weddings, bean feeds and harvest festivals. Donna worked for Control Data for twenty four years in Cambridge and Arden Hills before retirement in 1988. During her tenure there she advanced through many jobs from production line to quality control. In 1964 Donna and Marvin built a cabin on Horseshoe Lake north of McGregor. Donna loved the cabin and going up to the lake. She started the annual 4th of July boat parade tradition on Horseshoe Lake and Lake Minnewawa. Many new friendships were cultivated at the cabin. Large family gatherings were amongst her greatest joys. Her home hosted many holidays and other celebrations. Feeding a large crowd of fifty or so family members and friends was not considered a challenge or a chore but a work of love. Donna had a love for the outdoors. She enjoyed gardening, bird watching and caring for their five acre lawn. Bird feeders and lawn decorations abounded and her yard was always a park like setting. Throughout her life she remained active. She was a frequent baby sitter at Cambridge Lutheran Church, delivered Meals on Wheels and joined the Princeton VFW Auxiliary. At age 65 she joined two bowling leagues and continued to bowl until she was 84. Donna is survived by her children, Daryll (Lane) Wallin of Maple Grove, Kathy (Don) Dallman of Cambridge, Glenyce (David) Klaers of St Michael and Laurie (John) Zahn of East Bethel; eight grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren, her twin sister Dorothy Wallin of Spring Lake Park, sisters Shirley Olson of Minneapolis, Sonia (George) Gardner of McGregor, Joyce Hebner of Houston Texas and Grace McGarvie of Plymouth; two of her beloved poodles Lucy and Cocoa. She was preceded in death by her husband Marvin, brother Donald and sister Sharon.