Donna Mae Hewson, 84, New England, died Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at her home. Funeral services for Donna Mae will be at 2 p.m., Monday, February 27, 2017 at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, New England. Visitation will be on Sunday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., with a prayer service at 5 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Monday.
Donna Mae Dybdal Nielsen was born February 8, 1933, in rural New England, the daughter of August and Bette (Pedersen) Nielsen. She attended grade school at a country school near the Nielsen family farm, and later attended New England Public School, where she graduated from high school in 1951. While in high school, Donna participated in the choir. She then stayed home and cooked for the family while they farmed and ranched. She also helped with the farming.
On June 14, 1955, Donna married Harvey Hewson. They settled in Slope County, where they farmed, ranched, milked cows, and raised their six children.
She was an active member of Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in New England. She participated in TOPS. Donna enjoyed gardening, canning, cooking, and needlepoint. She looked forward to putting on a full meal for Christmas and other holidays for any family gathering. She had a gift of hospitality and made anyone feel welcome. She also raised chickens, turkeys, and peacocks. Donna and Harvey were on a bowling league, and played cards with friends and family. She taught many of their grandchildren how to play card games. She was a huge part of her grandchildren’s lives. Donna and Harvey enjoyed traveling together.
Donna is survived by six children, Odis (Edie Reis) Hewson, Buffalo, S.D., Metta (Brian) Sturn, Villard, Minn., Leon (Lynette Koller) Hewson, Amidon, Troy (Elaine Loeschke) Hewson, Newell, S.D., Jeff (Cheryl Geerts) Hewson, New England, and Aaron (Lori Krebs) Hewson, Dickinson; 25 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren, sibling, Virginia Henne, Bismarck, brother-in-law, Tom McGee, sister-in-law, Dorothy Nielsen, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Harvey; brother, Ernie; sister, Sonja McGee; brothers-in-law, Robert Henne and Clayton Wuttke; and an infant daughter.
