Donna Lorene Bensend, age 86, of Barron, formerly of Dallas, passed away on Monday, March 6, 2023, at Mayo Luther Hospital in Eau Claire, surrounded by her children.

She was the first born to Betty J. (Alexander) and Floyd E. Klein on May 21, 1936, in Hillsdale, Barron County.

On June 11, 1955, she married Donovan A. Bensend at the First Baptist Church, Hillsdale. They celebrated 53 years of marriage before Don’s sudden death on March 31, 2009. Donna and Don dairy farmed, Burr Oak Farms, 400 acres on County Road A near Dallas, where they raised their family.

Her love of gardening, cooking/canning baking, and feeding others led her and Don to build a commercial kitchen/sales room (Donna’s Kooler), where buns and pies were her specialty. She and Don regularly drove to Benton Harbor, MI, for summer/fall produce.

She is survived by sons, Andy (Theresa) of Dallas and Steven (Leslie) of Prescott; daughters, Marjorie (Wayne) McDonald of Centennial, CO and Karen (James) Offord of Green Bay; daughter-in-law, Janet Bensend of Barron; grandchildren, Katie (Michael) Starbuck, Bettye (Jon) Hill, and Jordan McDonald, Abe (Stephanie) Bensend, Austin (Shannon) Bensend, and Anna (Dan) Knudson, John (Casey) Bensend and Luke (Sam) Bensend, and Mandie (Pete) Wagner, Abby (Micah) Felber, Adam Offord, and Molly Offord; 24 great-grandchildren; brothers, Allen (Stacy) of Dallas and Harvey (Kris) of Hillsdale; brothers-in-law, David (Arlys) Hoveland of Dallas and Theo (Jan) of Hattiesburg, MS; sisters-in-law, Kearney Thompson of Dallas, Mary Iverson of Port Orchard, WA, and Mabel (Elton) Hoff of Hillsdale; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donovan; brother, William, sister, Eleanore Hoveland; and sister-in-law, Barbara Klein.

A visitation for Donna will be held on Thursday, March 9, from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Rausch & Steel Funeral Home in Barron. A short memorial service will be held at the funeral home at 6:30 p.m. Thursday evening. A private burial will take place at Barron Wayside Cemetery. A celebration of life is planned for family and friends on July 15, 2023 at the Ridgeland Community Center (time to be determined).

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Donna’s name to the Pregnancy Help Center, 234 N. Main Street, Rice Lake, WI 54868, phone #715-234-4357.

Arrangements are being handled by Rausch and Steel Funeral Home in Barron.

Last Update: Mar 07, 2023 11:30 am CST