Donna Eschenbaum

Donna Marie Eschenbaum, 90, of Miller, went peacefully to be with her Lord as promised in baptism on June 15, 2016 at Avera Health and Rehab in Mitchell, SD where she has lived for 5 years.

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, June 20, 2016 at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Miller with Father Chester Murtha, celebrant.  Burial followed at St. Ann's Cemetery, Miller. Visitation began at 5:00 p.m. Sunday, June 19, 2016 followed by a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, all at the church.

Donna Marie Beaner was born April 2, 1926 to Rupert and Mary (Lambertz) Beaner at her grandparent’s farm near Dolton, SD.  She was the oldest of 16 children.  When she was a few months old her parents moved to a farm northeast of St. Lawrence, SD.  She attended school in St. Lawrence and graduated from Miller High School in 1944.

Donna married Robert Lee Eschenbaum on November 28, 1944.  They spent the next 53 years together on the farm south of Miller where they raised their eight children.  After Robert's passing in 1997, she moved to an apartment in Miller in 2001.  Donna spent her whole life working hard, first on her parents’ farm and then on their own farm.  She saw many days of struggle and worry yet never lost her faith in what the Lord would provide.  She will always be remembered for her great cooking, card parties, sense of humor, and willingness to lend a hand to neighbors or anyone in need.

Donna was a lifelong member of the St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Miller.  She also served on the St. Ann’s Altar Society, funeral committee and taught 4^th grade CCD for a number of years.

Thankful to have shared her life are her eight children: Roberta Merxbauer of Tracy, MN; Carol (Wes) Sanborn of Julietta, ID; Janet (Doug) Arneson of Prior Lake, MN; Ann (Jack) Aalbers of Mitchell; Jim (Teresa) Eschenbaum of Miller; Mary (Dan) Hargens of Stevensville, MT; Lori Eschenbaum of Mitchell; and Sally (Tom) Sprigler of Spearfish; 23 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; her siblings: Charlotte Molander, Irene Fanning, Roger (Jodi) Beaner, Jim (Sharon) Beaner, Lloyd (Murial) Beaner, Richard Beaner, Chuck (Judy) Beaner, Sandra (Darwin) Knutson, Ramona (Darrell) Lewis, Dianne Knight, Mary Butler, Ellen (Bruce) Rook, and Rita Tibbetts; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Gary Terbell, Duane (Bobby) Eschenbaum, Mary Ann Clodt, JoDean (Vernon) Joy, Ole Harrell and too many nieces, nephews and cousins to count.

She was proceeded in death by her husband, Robert; her parents, Rupert and Mary Beaner; parents-in-law: Henry and Lena Eschenbaum; brother, Donald Beaner; sister, Linda Terbell; granddaughters, Darci Merxbauer and Jesse Lee Aalbers; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Ray Molander, Jack Fanning, Nina Beaner, Mike Butler, Harrold (Vonnie) Eschenbaum, and Ruth Harrell.