Donna Askegaard

Donna Mae Askegaard, 84, of Moorhead, MN, passed away on July 26, 2025, in Lilac Homes, Dilworth, MN, under the care of HIA Hospice.

Donna Mae Getz was born October 14, 1940, to Oswald and Marilyn (Poppel) Getz, in Barnesville, MN. She was baptized and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church, rural Mitchell Township, Wilkin County, MN.

Donna Mae was a hired girl for Marvin and Harriet Askegaard where she met her future husband, Charles Askegaard. They were married on November 24, 1956, in Comstock, MN. In 1966, they moved to the Askegaard family farm, where they raised their four children. She remained there until moving to Lilac Homes in August of 2023, due to dementia.

Donna Mae drove beet truck until the time her kids were all in school. She then went to work for American Linen and Welu Dental, retiring in 2002, to stay home to care for her husband and daughter, Denise. Once Chuck passed, she cleaned houses to keep active.

She was the Queen of cleaning! The floors needed to be swept, and furniture dusted every day, with the exception of Thursday nights when the entire house was cleaned from top to bottom.

She loved to mow, (whether it needed it or now) which she was well known for keeping a beautiful yard. She received many compliments as people drove by the farm. She enjoyed gardening, canning, making the best dill pickles along with potato salad which she was asked to make for many events. Saturday mornings were for baking white buns, dark bread, and cinnamon rolls.

Her hobbies included throwing horseshoes, bowling, and softball until her knees said it was time to retire. She loved to go to the casino and opening tickets while having a nice cold beer. Her favorite pastime was word search, playing cards, especially Pinnacle, which she taught many people. Even though she was left-handed that’s the way they dealt too.

She is sadly missed by and forever remembered by her children, Dale Askegaard, Pam (Jim) Braton of Barnesville, Sue (Steve) Suchla of Moorhead; 10 grandchildren: Jared, Dustin (Jessica), Jordan, Lindsay, Dylan, and Nathan Askegaard, Amber (Cory) Blilie, Casey (Carrie) Braton, Brandi (Brian) Benson, Shane (Lauryn) Braton; 19 great-grandchildren; brother, Dennis (Jane) Getz of Wolverton, MN; and sister, Carol Leske of West Fargo, ND.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Chuck; daughter, Denise; grandson, Trevor; her parents; step-father Arthur Blilie; sisters, Dorothy (Jerome) Kuehl and Dianna (Alden) Brendemuehl; and brother-in-law, Helmuth Leske.

The family would like to thank all of the wonderful and caring staff at Lilac Homes in Dilworth, along with HIA Hospice for their support and kindness, and all the family and friends that stopped to visit during this difficult time.

The funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, August 2, 2025, in Hoff Lutheran Church, Rustad, MN with Rev. Jill Steichen officiating. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the funeral service. Burial will be in Hoff Lutheran Cemetery, Rustad, MN.

The family of Donna Mae Askegaard gratefully acknowledges your attendance and many kind expressions of sympathy during their time of loss and invites you to join them for refreshments and fellowship immediately following the service.