Donna Lee (Menten) James

Donna Lee (Menten) James, age 75, of New Prague, died peacefully on May 23, 2023 at Mayo Clinic Health System Mankato.

Donna was born on September 29, 1947 in Mankato to Peter and Marcella (Zastrow) Menten. She graduated from Mankato High School, earned her education degree from Mankato State College, and taught in Waseca. After marrying Thomas P. James, Donna taught music for grades 7-12 for over 30 years in Jordan Public Schools where Tom was also teaching. Music was Donna’s passion throughout her life and she found pleasure and fulfillment in every aspect of it. She served as the choir director at Friedens Evangelical Lutheran Church for many years, and was an active volunteer with the Jordaness Lions Club.

Donna radiated kindness and was devoted to her family. She and Tom enjoyed dancing together and passed that ability to their grandchildren. She loved traveling; they made frequent trips to their cabin near Hackensack, MN and annual winter road trips, visiting every state except, Oregon, Alaska, and Hawaii. Travel with girlfriends took her to places such as New York, Ireland, and Branson, MO.

A Memorial Celebration of Life service was held Thursday, July 13, 2023 at Friedens Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lanesburgh, MN.