LaDonna Mae Flynn

LaDonna M. Flynn, age 81, of Hastings, passed away unexpectedly surrounded by her family on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at United Hospital in St. Paul, MN.

She was born in South Saint Paul on July 29, 1943, to Aloysius and Edith (Chapdelaine) McNamara, the fifth of eight children.

Donna attended St. Augustine Catholic school for elementary and graduated from South Saint Paul High School. After graduation, she worked as a medical secretary and married James Olson in 1965. Together they had four children: Lynn, Barb, Cheryl, and Brian. The family lived briefly in Inver Grove Heights before settling in Hastings in 1973. Donna was an avid bowler, enjoyed working with horses, loved snowmobiling, and cherished raising her children. She was deeply saddened by the passing of James in 1980 but found happiness again when she married Loren Flynn in 1983. Loren warmly welcomed Donna and her children into his life along with his daughter, Loretta.

Together, Donna and Loren built an incredible legacy. The love and devotion they felt, showed and lived for each other, was evident in their every action, buying heartwarming cards, along with other tiny ways to constantly express their love. The two truly became one!

Donna and Loren shared many happy memories, including snowmobiling, salmon fishing, listening to country music, spending summers at Balsam Lake for 25 years, and traveling to destinations like San Diego, Germany, and Austria. While Loren worked as a welder, Donna worked as a paraprofessional for over 25 years with the school district. She made a great impact on the lives of teenagers! Donna was a passionate quilter, deeply dedicated to her family, and loved attending her grandchildren's sporting events and activities. She was known for her strong-willed, direct, fiery personality paired with a loving, compassionate heart. Donna was physically strong, deeply faithful, praying her daily rosary and watching Mass at home when unable to attend in person. Her contagious laughter and caring spirit will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 42 years, Loren Flynn; children, Lynn Olson-Flynn, Barb (Randy) Peterson, Cheryl (Jarrod) Matsch, and Loretta (Joe) Karnes; grandchildren, Rachel, Erica, David, Amanda, Jim, Lauren, Andrew, Carlie, Mya, and Eric; six great-grandchildren; siblings, Theresa Todd, Beverly White, Margaret (Art) Roarke, Jean (Frank) Stickler; sisters-in-law, Alice McNamara and Jeanne McNamara; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; father and mother-in-law, Earl and Mary Ellen Flynn; first husband, James Olson; son, Brian Olson; brothers, Richard and Kenneth McNamara; sister, Mary Lemay; and several brothers- and sisters-in-law.

A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 pm on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel, 3075 Vermillion St., Hastings, MN 55033, with a rosary service held at 3:30 pm prior to the visitation. A visitation will also be held one hour prior to Mass on Thursday at the church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church of Miesville, 23955 Nicolai Avenue East, Hastings, MN 55033, with a reception to follow. Burial will take place at Prairie Island Cemetery in Welch Township.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are directed to the family for a donation in Donna's honor at a later date.