Donna Mae Hjort

Funeral services for Donna Hjort, age 77, of Aitkin, formerly of Milaca, will be held on Friday, July 13 at 11 AM at Zion Lutheran Church in Milaca with Rev. Stephen Blenkush and Rev. James Raisanen officiating. Interment will follow at Borgholm Cemetery near Bock. Visitation will be from 5 – 8 PM on Thursday at the Zion Lutheran Church in Milaca and 1 hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Music will be provided by Linda Tatarian and Mary Jo Leet. Casket bearers will include Randy Hjort, Joelle Hjort, Tonya Hjort, Laura Rahm, Courtney Jindra, Katelyn Jindra, Tom Hjort, Terry Hjort and Adam Hjort. Donna Mae Hjort was born October 29, 1934 to Donald and Anna Mae (Altman) Westling, in Borgholm Township. She died on Monday, July 9, 2012 at St. Cloud Hospital. She attended school district 52 and graduated from Milaca High School in 1952. Donna was united in marriage to Lawrence Hjort on June 20, 1953 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Milaca. Donna moved with Lawrence to various locations while he was stationed in the Army. They eventually returned to Minneapolis. They spent 19 years in the Twin Cities. Donna wore many hats during her career as Bookkeeper, Credit Consultant, Public Relations, Bypunch Operator, Office manager, and then working as Bookkeeper and business partner with Lawrence at Hjort Excavating. When they moved to Milaca in 1971, Lawrence and Donna purchased Russell Hjort Excavating and the family farm from Lawrence’s father. They worked side by side operating the business together. In 1995, they retired, and a few years later Lawrence and Donna built their lake home on Lone Lake. Many memories have been enjoyed at the lake home with family and friends. Donna had a passion for bowling. She was a youth coach for her children’s bowling leagues. She bowled in several leagues in Milaca, a senior league in Brainerd, and was able to participate in many state tournaments and even a few national tournaments. Donna put on many miles attending her children’s many activities, which continued on with her grandchildren. She was our biggest fan. Donna enjoyed traveling with family and friends, showing horses with her daughters, and golfing with her grandkids. When Donna wasn’t running around the country, she was content to lounge on the deck reading a book or chatting with family and friends. She was also very eager for a slow pontoon ride around the lake. She is survived by son, Dean (Lori) Hjort of Milaca; daughters, Brenda (Dale) Jindra of Brainerd and Melanie Hjort of Engelwood, OH; grandchildren, Randy (Joelle) Hjort, Tonya Hjort, Courtney Jindra, Katelyn Jindra and Laura Rahm; Although Donna was an only child she considered all her brothers and sisters in law as her siblings: Carl (Pat) Hjort of Milaca, Shirley Kellicutt of Half Moon Bay, CA, Dennis (Jackie) Hjort of Milaca, Darlene (Ron) Steinhofer of Sauk Rapids and Linda (Chris) Tatarian of Troy, OH also by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lawrence in 2010; daughter, DeAnna Hjort and grandson, Ryan Hjort.