Donna Fjelstad

PIERRE - Donna Fjelstad, 72, Pierre, died Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011, at St. Mary's Hospital.

Donna Jeanne Fjelstad was born Sept. 15, 1938, at Clark to George and Averil (Beller) Moeller. As a child she lived in Presho, Wagner and Watertown, graduating from high school in 1956. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Northern State University in 1960, and a Master's Degree in School Administration from USD in 1975. A teacher in the Pierre Schools for 19 years, she later became an administrator in the South Dakota Department of Education and Assistant State Superintendent.

Her avocation was theater where she acted and directed across the state. As co-owner of the comedy team, Oahe Transit, and RiverBridge Theater, she and her partner, Don Boyd, performed locally and throughout the upper Midwest. She was a founding member of Pierre Players where she has shared her extraordinary talents on well over 100 productions. A sought after motivational speaker and workshop leader, she also wrote and performed comedy for business, non-profit and government groups.

Donna married Charles Fjelstad in 1960; they moved to Pierre where she made her home for the remainder of her life. They had three children, Linda Anne, Max Eric, and Mary Gen. Over the years, numerous other young people were welcomed into their home for brief periods of time.

Donna's belief that "to whom much is given, much is expected" was exemplified in service to her community and state and was the signature of her life. Her reputation as an advocate spanned a variety of issues and causes. She understood the transformative power of the arts and was committed to creating opportunities for youth and adults to develop their creativity on stage and off. She was instrumental in starting IMPROV, an alcohol and drug prevention program for adolescents, in 1985, which continues in South Dakota today. She coached and mentored many "Odyssey of the Mind" teams, served on the boards of The Right Turn Career Learning Center, Capital Area Counseling Services, Capital Area Counseling Board of Trustees, Pierre Players, Short Grass Arts Council, Pierre Education Foundation, and Church of Hope Prison Ministry. In addition to her work as a Hospice volunteer, she served as trainer for other volunteers.

At the state level, Donna served as president of the board of the Black Hills Playhouse and South Dakotans for the Arts. She served as a Governor Appointee to the South Dakota Arts Council. In 1989 she was named Outstanding Woman Educator by the South Dakota Women in Educational Leadership. In 1991 she was honored as a Governor's Outstanding Volunteer in the Arts. In 1999 she was named Outstanding Volunteer by the Pierre Area Charitable Organizations. In March of 2006, she received the "Release the Spirit Within" award at the Arctic Winter Games in Kenai, Alaska. In June of 2006, Capital Area Counseling Services awarded her its "Visionary Award" for her service to that agency. In 2009 she was honored with the "Outstanding Support of the Arts by an Individual" award by Gov. Michael Rounds at the state Governor's Arts Awards. She was also recognized by the Pierre Chamber of Commerce with the annual Pierre Pride award that same year. In 2010 she ran as a Democratic candidate for District 24 in the South Dakota State Senate race with a fitting slogan "Fjelstad…only the J is silent."

Donna rejoiced in the diversity of her many friends. She encouraged us to believe in ourselves, develop our talents (whatever they might be), and to "get on with it." She left a lasting impression on all the lives she touched.

Donna considered her family her finest production. She is survived by her children, Linda Schumacher (Kent), Pierre, Max Fjelstad (Kate), Ninilchik, Alaska, and Mary (Kato) Buss, Eugene, Ore.; the lights of her life – her grandchildren, Jackson Schumacher, Samuel Fjelstad, Olivia Buss and Charlotte Fjelstad; two sisters, Kathleen Currey, Pierre, and Janet (Doug) Stam, Blaine, Minn.; nieces, Sara (Terry) Kumpf, Pierre, and Suzanne Easthouse, Britton; and great-nephew and nieces, Evan, Miranda and Claire.

She was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; her dear Aunt Gen; and her husband and lifelong friend, Charles Fjelstad.

Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. (CST), with a 7 p.m. prayer service Friday, Feb. 11, at the First United Methodist Church.

A Memorial Celebration of Life will be at 10 a.m. (CST) Saturday, Feb. 12 at the church.

The Fjelstad Finale will follow at 6 p.m. at the Grand Opera House.

A memorial fund has been established in Donna's name at BankWest.

Isburg Funeral Chapel of Pierre has been placed in care of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.isburgfuneralchapels.com.