Dona R. Schmidt was born on October 7, 1927, in Madison, South Dakota on the Keiner Homestead to the late Raymond and Alma (Verlo) Keiner. She graduated from Franklin Consolidate School in 1945 and then from Eastern State Teacher's College in Madison in 1947. Dona was first introduced to Marlin Schmidt in the Fall of 1947 at a football game in Lennox, South Dakota. Dona was a 3rd grade teacher there and taught for two years. She then taught for one year in the Franklin School and then moved to Pipestone for a teaching position there. On June 8, 1951, Dona was united in marriage to Marlin Schmidt in Madison, South Dakota. Marlin entered the US Army in August of 1951 in Fort Lee, Virginia and Dona lived and worked in Richmond, Virginia as a cashier at Baker Shoe Store. In 1952, Marlin left for Korea and during this time, Dona lived in Madison, South Dakota with her parents. She taught one year in Rutland, South Dakota and worked one year at the state unemployment services. In 1953, Marlin was honorably discharged. The couple lived in Lennox, South Dakota until 1957 where Dona taught school. They then moved to Madison, South Dakota and a year later, to Albuquerque, New Mexico and then to Del Norte, Colorado. In 1963, they moved to Westbrook, Minnesota where they made their forever home and Dona taught for three years. Dona was instrumental in running the family owned businesses, Schmidt Construction and Parkview Assisted Living/Bed and Breakfast until 2001. Marlin passed away on October 25, 2005. After his death, Dona remained in Westbrook for several years until moving to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She later moved back to Westbrook. On Thursday evening, June 25, 2020, Dona passed away at the Westbrook Hospital in Westbrook, MN at the age of 92. Dona was a longtime member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Westbrook. She worked with Cub Scouts, 4-H Clubs, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Release Time and was the Sunday School Superintendent. Dona had many enjoyments in life which included watching basketball, especially the Timberwolves, Lynx and her grandchildren. She also loved doing bulletin boards, making banners for church, and most of all, spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Dona is survived by her four children, Michael Schmidt of Sioux Falls, SD; Jim (Kristine) Schmidt of Westbrook; Barb (Aaron) Aasen of Sioux Falls, SD; David (fiancé Julie) Schmidt of Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren, Alicia Spindler, Christel Nicholes, Jared Schmidt, Audra Harris, Taylor Hanson, Madison & Carter Aasen, Brennan, Meg & Lauren Schmidt ; great-grandchildren, Nathan & Leah Spindler; and many nieces and nephews. Dona is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Marlin; great-grandson, Ian Spindler; two brothers, Bill and Joe Keiner. Blessed be the memory of Dona R. Schmidt