Donna Perala

Donna Lee Lahti was born on April 11, 1938 at home in Heinola, rural New York Mills, Minnesota.  Her parents were the late Aldrich and Hulda (Hentila) Lahti.  Donna attended country school in Leaf Lake Township and graduated from the New York Mills High School with the Class of 1956.

On November 10, 1963 Donna was united in marriage to Delano “Hank” Perala on the family farm in Heinola.  Donna was employed at the Deer Creek Bank and later with Ken Maki Accounting.  On February 28, 1984 Hank passed away.  In her younger years Donna enjoyed snowmobiling, gardening and fishing. She also enjoyed puzzles and reading.

On February 10, 2020 Donna passed away at Perham Health in Perham, Minnesota at 81 years of age.  She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. Preceding Donna in death were her parents, Aldrich and Hulda; husband, Delano “Hank” Perala; son, Troy Dunn; sisters: DeLaine (Melvin) Blomberg; Dixie (Billy) Maunumaki; brother, Randy Lahti; brothers-in-law: Donnie (Ruthie) Perala; Duane (LaVonne Schafer) Perala and Jerry Salo.

Donna is survived by her sons: Terry (Brenda) Dunn of Ottertail and Lonnie (Sharon) Perala of New York Mills; grandchildren: Taylor Perala, Evan Perala, Derek Dunn, Danielle Janda and Ashley Ogaja; great-grandchildren: Alexa and Amber Dunn, Aiden Janda and Malik and Kiana Ojaja; sisters: DeDe (Denny) Windel of New York Mills and Diane (LeRoy) Nelson of New York Mills; sister-in-law, Joani Salo of New York Mills; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.

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