Donna Avery

Donna Mae Avery, 74, of Albert Lea, Minnesota, peacefully passed away on July 21, 2025, at her home, surrounded by the love of her family.

Born on May 15, 1951, in Albert Lea, Donna was the daughter of the late William and Alice (Anderson) Chapman. A proud graduate of Albert Lea High School in 1969, she embodied a spirit of selflessness and care that resonated with all who knew her. 

On July 21, 1973, Donna married Victor Avery at Grace Lutheran Church in Albert Lea, marking the beginning of a loving partnership that endured for over 52 years. Together, they lovingly raised three daughters: Brenda, Andrea, and Lisa, instilling in them the values of kindness, family, and resilience.

Donna found immense joy in family gatherings, especially during Sunday suppers filled with laughter and love. A devoted grandmother and great-grandmother, she cherished every moment spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who brought immeasurable joy to her life. Whether visiting Branson for shows, exploring casinos, or traveling to new places, Donna embraced life with enthusiasm and a generous heart. Her career spanned years of dedicated service at Walmart and as a babysitter, where her nurturing spirit touched countless lives in the Albert Lea community.

Donna is survived by her beloved husband, Victor; her daughters, Brenda (Vaughn) Ravlin, Andrea (Brent Warweg) Mereness, and Lisa (Nick) Pederson; grandchildren: Jeff (Martha), Kassi (Daniel), Connor, Devin, Kaitlyn, Torri (Richard), Aleesha, Dominick, Jaxon, Colton, and Ella; great-grandchildren: Simon, Evelyn, Justin, and Bentley; and brothers, Bob Chapman and Jerry Chapman. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Alice Chapman; her sister, Nancy Arp; and her in-laws, Edgar and Betty Avery; and her son-in-law Robert Mereness; and her fur baby, Scout.

A visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at Bonnerup Funeral & Cremation Services in Albert Lea, MN. The funeral will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 28, 2025, at Bonnerup Funeral & Cremation Services, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be held at Hillcrest Cemetery. The service will be livestreamed.

In honor of her fight against breast cancer, guests are encouraged to wear pink and dress casually to her services as a symbol of support.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at St. Croix Hospital, especially Alexa, and the Albert Lea Cancer Center for their compassion and care during Donna’s illness.

The live stream link below is a complimentary service provided by Bonnerup Funeral & Cremation Services. Unforeseen technical, internet, facility, and/or acoustical circumstances may produce a diminished end product. Please note, if the live stream does not appear, we are attempting to record and publish the service for later viewing.