Donna Lou (Schimke) Espeseth

Donna (Schimke) Espeseth was born to Edmund and Nancy Schimke on October 25, 1933, in Harvey, North Dakota. Donna grew up on a farm in Central North Dakota and attended a rural grade school. She graduated from Anamoose High School and went on to attend Trinity Hospital School of Nursing in Minot, North Dakota. She spent 5 months of special training at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Illinois.

She married Vernon “Knute” Espeseth on June 5, 1955, in Lincoln Valley, North Dakota. Her work experience included Jamestown, North Dakota Hospital, and after moving to Eugene, Oregon, in 1964, Sacred Heart Hospital. Donna worked at Sacred Heart for 21 years in women’s care.

Donna was a member of Central Lutheran Church and The Sons of Norway. She was a 9-year volunteer with the Road to Recovery Program, as well as volunteering at the American Cancer Society. She enjoyed bridge, golf, bowling, traveling, a good dry martini, and was an avid Duck fan.

Survivors are her two children, son, Scott (wife, Cindy, and granddaughter, Catherine) and daughter, Nancy; and many special nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Knute, her parents, and her two brothers.

Donna requests a private family gathering be held to celebrate her life. Remembrances may be made to Central Lutheran, the Sons of Norway, or the American Cancer Society.