Donna Irene (Thorson) Symanietz was born June 20, 1938 in Randall, MN to Engwald and Hazel (Gregerson) Thorson. She grew up and attended school in Randall. She married Donald Symanietz on April 30, 1955 in Little Falls, MN and later moved to Fargo where they raised their family. Donald died in 1976. After the children were grown, Donna became a dietician and cooked for several years at Centre, Inc.

Donna died on March 5, 2017 at Essentia Health in Fargo, ND. She is survived by her children, Dawn (Mike) Ackley, Fergus Falls, MN, Don (Pam) Symanietz, West Fargo, ND, Dan (Deb) Symanietz, Cushing, MN and Del (Carol) Symanietz, Bismarck, ND; 7 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; sisters, Helen, Bonnie, Trudy, Darlene, Carla and brother, Richard.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Donald.