NEW ULM–LaDonna R. Donahue, age 83 of New Ulm died peacefully on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at Pheasants Ridge Assisted Living and Memory Care in St. Peter.

A private family service will be held at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home-South Chapel in New Ulm. Ennichement will follow in the New Ulm Catholic Cemetery Columbarium. To leave an online condolence for her family, or to sign the guestbook, go to: mvfh.org

Donna is survived by her husband, Leonard Donahue of New Ulm; her daughters, Vicki (Tim Tworzyanski) Donahue of New Ulm, Lorri Krozack of Stevensville, MD; her son, Jeffry Donahue of Long Beach, CA; her son-in-law, John Krozack of Stevensville, MD; her granddaughters, Adrienne and Natalie Krozack both of Stevensville, MD; her sisters, Brenda (John) Aufderheide of Mankato, Karen (Doug) Woelfel of Bird Island, Marlene Groves of Le Sueur; her brother, Don (Sandy) Zins of Cambridge; her sister-in-law, Karen Zins of Nicollet; and many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Gene Zins; and her brother-in-law, Glen Groves.

LaDonna Regina Zins was born March 4, 1940, in Nicollet, Minnesota to Matthew and Arlene (Leonard) Zins. She attended country grade school in Nicollet, and was a 1958 graduate from Cathedral High School in New Ulm. Donna was united in marriage to Leonard Donahue on June 20, 1959, at the Swan Lake Catholic Church in rural Nicollet. This union blessed the couple with 3 children whom together they raised in Fairmont and later New Ulm. Music was an essential part of Donna’s entire life. By the age of 10, Donna was already playing as the church organist for Swan Lake and St. Nicholas Catholic Churches. In high school, she played piano for chorus rehearsals and was a part of the all-female quartet known as The Four Sharps. Her musicianship did not go unnoticed, as she was awarded a medal for music during her senior year. After high school, Donna began to pursue a professional career in music. She shared her gifts playing at celebratory and funeral services at Saint John’s Vianney in Fairmont, many parishes throughout the New Ulm Dioceses, First United and Oakwood Methodist Churches in New Ulm, as well as local theaters and ballrooms. Her participation in religious services led to her love of arranging, accompanying, and directing choral groups. She formed the Cathedral Chorale which later evolved to the New Ulm Chorale which she accompanied and directed. She also directed a choir concert consisting of The Sweet Adelines, the Concord Singers, and the New Ulm Chorale. She co-founded with Judy Sellner in 1984, The Notables, New Ulm’s first mixed choir. One of the most “notable” performances was at the Minneapolis Metrodome in 1986. After her time with the Notables, Donna was the keyboard accompanist for the Concord Singers. Another love of Donna’s was musical theater. While in Fairmont, Donna was active with the Civic Summer Theater for nearly 10 years performing such shows as, “Oklahoma”, “Hello Dolly”, and “Gypsy”. She also performed with community theater groups in Prior Lake and New Ulm. To share her musical gifts with others early in her career, Donna worked as the 1st-8th grade music teacher at St. John’s Vianny School in Fairmont. During her professional career, she taught piano lessons to all ages. Some of her students have continued her legacy of providing musical accompaniment during religious services of their own. Besides her musical career, in the mid 1970’s, Donna and her husband, Lenny bought the meat locker and began their business making sausage. They owned and operated Lenny’s Meats, and later the Sausage Shop on Broadway. Donna and Lenny also catered food for many area events while running the Sausage Shop. Donna was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New Ulm where up until recently, was still serving as a church organist. These memories and countless others will stay in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. Her legacy will live on in every life she blessed with music.

Mvfh.org

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