Donna Lenbom

Donna Maureen Bjugstad Lenbom went into the arms of her Lord and personal Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, at her home. She was born on March 1, 1935, to Harold and Cora Swanson Bjugstad in Rice Lake. When she was 7 years old, they moved to the Bjugstad Family Homestead three miles north of Barron (now Country Lane Pantry) where she grew up attending Pleasant Hill School, loving the many music programs, especially Christmas. Her first time singing in church was a duet with her sister, June, followed by many solos, duets with her Dad and quartets with her sisters through the years. Donna’s faith and trust in God were her focus, being baptized, confirmed and married at First Lutheran Church in Barron.

During high school, Donna was involved in music, singing in the choir, solos, ensembles, playing trumpet and class plays. She could hardly wait to be in high school, so she could sing in the church choir with her sister, June and many first cousins, where her Dad was the choir director for 27 years. Donna graduated from Barron High School in 1953, moved to Eau Claire to attend Vocational School and was offered a position in the Business Office working there from 1954-56. As a teen, Donna had met Jim Lenbom at Luther Park Bible Camp in June 1950, and after a long courtship, they were married on Aug. 11, 1956.

Donna embraced being a farmer’s wife, often driving tractor, and, of course, cherished being mom to their four children. She also spent 38 years serving Chetek Area Schools as high school secretary, payroll clerk and bookkeeper and felt blessed to eventually have an office at Roselawn Elementary where her grandchildren attended. Many of their friends called her “Grandma,” and she was delighted to find notes on her desk from them. She loved being a Grandma and a Great-Grandma, supporting her family by attending programs, concerts, ice skating shows and other such events while cheering them on at games and teaching them to bake cookies and sew. She made each grandchild and great grandchild several quilts.

A member of Chetek Lutheran Church since 1956, she was active in Ladies Aid (now WELCA) serving as an officer for many years and a charter member of Tabitha Circle; repeatedly serving as an officer since 1957. Always serving where needed, she was a Sunday School teacher, Church Council member, and hosted Bible Study groups; the Bethel Series study was particularly enriching for Donna and Jim. She assisted in coordinating many special activities, such as church anniversaries, lefse making, chicken and lutefisk dinners, Cookie Walk, organized/printed several church cookbooks, and she was a 65-year member of Chancel Choir, creating and maintaining a catalog file which organized the music. Arranging special music for worship services during the summer for many years, Donna’s passion for musical talent identified her and gave her great joy in serving her Lord.

In 1980, Donna and Jim, along with other area churches, sponsored a refugee family from Laos, the Xiong family, who she considered family. In 2007 the couple were on a team that rescued a pipe organ from destruction in a church in Bath, Maine. As the crew disassembled the many pipes, Donna lovingly wrapped and packed away all of the smaller ones, while ensuring there was always coffee and treats available. She cherished the pipe organ as a great gift of ministry for Chetek Lutheran.

As a Mexico Missions Trips volunteer, she sewed many curtains, taught the women how to sew and cooked for the crew that included Jim and others in building churches, roofing homes and doing plumbing. She also helped ship many clothing boxes to Mexico Missions after the annual Nu-Tu-Yu sale. Outside of her church ministry, she served as Brownie Leader, Cub Scout Leader, 4-H Leader, New Auburn Community Choir Member, Water Aerobics participant and delivered Meals on Wheels with Jim.

Donna lived out her faith by serving others. Her light will always shine brightly as she touched everyone around her with Christ-like love. Her spiritual gifts included hospitality, grace, compassion, gentleness, kindness, understanding, patience, wisdom, humility, sense of humor, positive outlook on life and her endless smiles. Making and delivering food and cheer to others as well as sending many cards and letters of encouragement infused her daily life. Rarely missing an event or gathering, and always the hostess-at-heart, Donna loved to entertain in their home, throwing birthday and coffee parties and showers of all sorts.  Jim’s and Donna’s nicknames were Joy and Delight, which was very fitting of their individual and joint testimonies of faith, sharing love and joy. She loved hosting Thanksgiving and Easter Dinners, but most of all, she cherished Christmas Eve, preparing for weeks ahead, serving plenty of lefse, cider, punch with the traditional dinner and special trays of Scandinavian baked goods. Creating a memorable event, including setting a proper table was an important aspect of ensuring the table had more than just good food.  Her earthly presence will be greatly missed, but we rejoice in knowing she is home.

Donna “Cookie Grandma” is survived by children,  Susan (Don) Johnson, Mark (Tammy) Lenbom, Mary Jo (Kevin) Carlson; son-in-law, Gary (Becky) Taft; grandchildren, Michael (Jenny) Lenbom, Nichele (Troy) Killoran, Heather (Dusty) Schaaf, Aaron (Bre) Taft, Mathew (Lilli) Carlson, Jared Taft, Jacob Carlson, Alexis Carlson (Austen Bowe); step-grandchildren, Sheri (Darrin) Seever and Blaine Johnson; 11 great-grandchildren; three step-great grandchildren; three sisters, June Edson, Sharon Ronning, Jerilyn (Gordon) Wibbens; one brother, Wayne Bjugstad; many nieces, nephews, cousins and the Xiong family.

Donna is preceded in death by her husband, Jim; daughter, Lou Ann Taft; and her parents.

A Celebration of Life for Donna will be held on Sunday, October 8, at 1:30 p.m. at Chetek Lutheran Church with visitation prior to the service from 11 – 1:30 p.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Chetek Lutheran Church, Luther Park Bible Camp, Chetek Food Shelf or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.

Cremation Society of Wisconsin, Altoona, has been entrusted with arrangements.  Online condolences may be shared at www.cremationsociety.wi.com .