Donna Bahr

Private family services for Donna Bahr, 81, of Groton will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, March 2nd at Paetznick-Garness Funeral Chapel, Groton. Rev. Craig Grams will officiate. Burial will follow in Union Cemetery under the direction of Paetznick-Garness Funeral Chapel.

Donna passed away Wednesday, February 29, 2012 surrounded by her loving family.

Donna Jean was born Oct 11, 1930 to Bessie (Eikanas) and Clarence Craig. She grew up on the family farm north of Groton. Donna attended Groton high school and married Orville Bahr February 25, 1948. She was a member of St John's Lutheran Church. Together the couple was blessed with eight children. Along with being a constant companion and supporting her husband on the farm and raising her children, Donna loved to garden and spend time outdoors. As a couple, they enjoyed playing cards and visiting with friends and family. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed hosting holidays for her very large family. Grandma Donna always made Christmas very special for her family. Donna loved her family and was blessed to see her family blossom with 55 grandchildren and great grandchildren. Donna was also a very talented seamstress and enjoyed decorating and doing crafts. In her later years, she loved to play bingo and watch "Everyone Loves Raymond".

Orville and Donna moved from their farm home to Groton in December 1996 - the year of the big snow. The love of her life, Orville, died June 8, 1997, they were married 49 years. Donna suffered a stroke in June 2002 which left her unable to care for herself. She became a resident of the Golden Living Center in Groton, August 2002. Donna was an amazing strong woman as she struggled to regain her strength and dignity. May God bless Donna and receive her soul into eternal life.

She is survived by sons and daughters, Jim (Linda) Bahr; Doug (Pam) Bahr; Bonnie (Alan) Nierman; Patty (Wayne) Hein; Loren Bahr; Tammy (Vern) Heilman; Lonny (Brenda) Bahr, 22 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren, one brother, Doug (Brenda) Craig; one sister, Darlene Biggs of Great Bend KS and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents, one son, Larry Bahr; one sister, Doris (Pete) Zimney, one brother Dayle (Blanche) Craig, three great grandsons, her brother-in-law, Danny Biggs and sister-in-law, Elaine (Jack) Klapperich.

Pallbearers will be all of Donna's grandsons, Jimmy (Heidi) Bahr, Chad Nierman, Jesse (Becky) Nierman, Troy (Jenny) Bahr, Brian (Andrea) Bahr, Damian (Erin) Bahr, Dion Bahr (and fiancAC. Samantha Bunke), Kerry Bahr (Missy Tollefson), Justin (Andrea) Bahr, Stormy Bahr, and Kevin Heilman.

Honorary Pallbearers will be all of Donna's granddaughters, Lisa (Phillip) Adler, Tricia (Bary) Keith, Cheri (Zelos) Johnson, Tammy (Matt) Locke, Debbie (Matt) Tollifson, Jacque Hein, Skyler Bahr, Sarah (Erik) Poe, Kaylee Bahr, Kelsey Bahr, and Kristyn Bahr.

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