Donna J. Beynon

Donna Jane (York) Beynon, age 82, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Friday, July 11, 2025, at a local care center.

Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 18, 2025, at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown, SD. Pastor Steve Biswell will officiate. Honorary Pallbearers will be Donna's grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Active pallbearers will be Frankie Hanson, David Hanson, Charlie Hanson, Blayne Schliesman, Kaleb Artz and CJ Hanson.

Visitation will be at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel on Thursday, July 17, 2025, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. and will resume prior to services at the chapel on Friday.

Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown, SD. Lunch and refreshments will be served at the funeral chapel following burial. Everyone is welcome.

Donna was born on November 16, 1942, in Sioux Falls, SD, to Alvin Harvey and Jennie Phoebe (Fish) York. She attended McKinley grade school until 3rd grade, Lakeview County until 6th grade, and completed 7th grade in Renville, MN. She finished the rest of her education in Watertown, SD, graduating in 1960.

Donna married her high school sweetheart, David Walter Beynon, on August 12, 1960, in Webster, SD. Together they enjoyed hunting, camping and doing crossword puzzles. This union gave them five children, 13 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

Donna enjoyed playing on a bowling league team with her famous pink (bubble gum) ball. She was quite the bowler with countless strikes in a game. In her free time, she enjoyed crocheting, sewing, cooking, camping and reading. Donna also loved her little dogs, Shorty, Pixie and Marley, and they always loved to cuddle with her.

One of Donna's talents was the ability to cook and bake like no other. Her husband, children and friends could not get enough of the food she made. Not only did she enjoy baking Christmas treats with her children, she also provided BBQ's and food for the concession stand at Sioux Valley Ball Diamond where she cheered on her husband as he played fast pitch softball.

Donna worked for Christmas Around the World starting in 1984. Her high sales earned her trips to Japan, Italy, Australia, Rio de Janeiro as well as a Caribbean Cruise.

Donna dreamed of opening her own bakery and this dream became a reality in 2002 when she opened The Sugar Shack. She was known for her homemade pies, bars and treats. Her specialty was her rolls, which included caramel, cinnamon, peanut butter and cream cheese. Customers liked them so much that they would empty her shelves.

Donna is survived by her husband, David Beynon; her children: Belinda (Frank) Hanson, Eugene (Sara) Beynon and Davina (Harold) Artz; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; her sisters-in-law, Gina (Brent) Gates and Debbie (Charlie) Hagen; two half-brothers and four half-sisters; and three sisters-in-law.

Donna was preceded in death by her daughters, DoriAnne Beynon and Angela Schliesman; her parents, Alvin York and Jennie Davis; her step-father, Leon Davis; her in-laws, Reginald and Goldie Beynon; brothers: Daniel Cates, Duane York and Dennis York; sisters-in-law: Dorothy Klucas, Fran Beynon, and Geraldine Carter; brothers-in-law: Eugene Klucas, and Tom Beynon; her niece, Cristina Hagen and nephew, Andy York; her step sisters, Loretta Haney and Sandra Murphy; and step-brother, Leonard Davis.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com