Belva Marjorie Domogalla

Belva Marjorie Domogalla, age 90, of Hastings, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on September 21, 2024.

Belva Marjorie was born in Superior, WI to Helmer and Charlotte Wallin on April 18, 1934. She went to high school in Maple, WI and graduated in 1951. After graduation she went to vocational school to become a legal secretary. She was very proud of the work she did for the attorneys in Superior.

On December 30, 1955, she married Richard “Dick” Domogalla. The couple made their home in Superior, WI where they welcomed two children, Gary and Lista. In the early 1960s they made the decision to move to be closer to Dick’s family in Bejou, MN where they bought a farm and built their house. While in Bejou, they welcomed four more children, Karen, Sandi, Kevin and Karla. In 1972, Dick passed away suddenly, and Belva was left to raise the children, ages 15 years old to 11 months.

Her children were always her top priority. The house was full of love and laughter. The coffee pot was always on, and friends stopped by frequently. Belva was always there for others, be it a ride to wherever or just a friendly face to talk to. She always made people feel welcome wherever she went.

In 1977 she opened the Sonrise Book and Bible Shoppe in Mahnomen, MN. She loved going to the store every day, but really loved the friendships she built with the other ladies she would have coffee and lunch with.

In 1995, she decided to sell the farm in Bejou and move to Hastings, MN. She opened her store again on Second Street East and fully engulfed herself in the Hastings community.

She loved living in the Oak Ridge apartments and made many friends there. One friend in particular, Marvin, caught her eye and before she knew it, she was engaged. On September 24, 2005, she was united in marriage to Marvin Carter. Marvin and Belva would travel all over the country visiting family and friends. They spent twelve happy years together before Marvin passed away in 2017.

Belva loved to put together puzzles, play Scrabble and was an exceptional cross stitcher. She made hundreds of beautiful cross stitch art items. Another thing Belva was very proud of was the hundreds of quilts she made. She would sell the quilts and give the profits to a local charity. Any quilts that didn’t sell were donated to people in need. In 2012 she was honored by Minnesota Congressman John Kline as a Star of the North for her generosity. She was still making quilts into her late 80s.

Belva will be remembered for the best homemade caramel rolls ever, along with her gentle spirit, her smile, her sense of humor and her welcoming manner. She loved the Lord and made sure everything she did was in his honor.

Belva is survived by her children, Gary (JoAnn) Domogalla, Lista (Dean) Klocow, Karen (Rick) Refshaw, Sandra (Bill) Dufault, Kevin (Bobbi Jo) Domogalla, Karla (Mike) Manke; 15 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; siblings, Conrad (Debbie) Wallin, Marlys Wallin; sisters-in-law, Celia Schmidt, Janet Wallin; brother-in-law, Gene Sternberg; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Peter and Mary Domogalla; and by many nieces and nephew, other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her first husband, Richard “Dick” Domogalla; second husband, Marvin Carter; grandchildren, Theodore Domogalla, Tallack Refshaw, Jacob Schroeder; son-in-law, Dave Schroeder; stepson, Mark Carter; siblings, Gordon Wallin, Elaine (Lyle) Gunderson; sisters-in-law, Kathy Sternberg and Fran Wallin.

A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 400 W. 9th Street, Hastings with a visitation one hour prior to the time of the service. Interment will be held at a later date at Riverside Cemetery, Mahnomen, Minnesota.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family.