Donna Bohlmann

Donna Bohlmann, 88 of Tyndall, SD died December 4, 2023 in Mesa, Arizona.   

Memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 15 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Tyndall with Pastor Dean Schroeder officiating. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with a 7 p.m. prayer service, Thursday, December 14 at St. John’s. Visitation will resume one hour before the memorial service. Inurnment will be in the Tyndall Cemetery.

Donna Marie Bohlmann was born December 11, 1934, to Arthur and Ruth Marie (Janssen) Grimme, on her parents’ farm. Donna was Baptized in January 1935 and was a confirmed member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Tyndall.

Donna stayed with her Grandpa Carson and Grandma Matilda Janssen in Tyndall while attending high school, graduating from Tyndall High School in 1952. Donna received a state teaching certificate from Southern State College, Springfield, SD. Donna taught elementary students at Hoff Country School north of Tyndall. 

On November 25, 1955, at Tyndall United Methodist Church, Donna married Leslie Emil Bohlmann from Lesterville, SD and moved to Omaha, Nebraska where she taught elementary students. After they moved back to South Dakota to start farming, Donna taught 3rd and 4th grade students for several years in Avon, SD. Les and Donna had three children, Jerry, Mary and Peggy.

In 1968 Les and Donna boarded students from Southern State College to help with the farm work and later had neighbors and retired farmers help also until Les’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. They retired from farming in 1997.

Donna was a member of St. John’s LWML, church organist, soloist, a choir member, and also taught Sunday School.  Donna also enjoyed being involved in the Jolly Neighbors Club, Thursday Circle, St. Michael’s Hospital Auxiliary, VFW Auxiliary, Good Samaritan Guild, 4-H leader, Retired Teachers Association, the Yankton Area Arts Association, and the Delta Dozen Pinochle Card Club.  She will be remembered for her love for her family, church, community, music, dancing, a competitive card player and being an excellent cook and baker of many fine meals and treats. She enjoyed travelling later in life with Leroy Sorenson.

Donna is survived by her three children, Jerry (Linda) Bohlmann of Lincoln, NE, Mary (Ben) Ambler of Greenwood, IN, and Peggy (Bill) George of Dell Rapids, SD; 3 grandchildren, Carson (Luan Oliveira) Bohlmann, A Coruna, Spain, Alex Bohlmann, Rochester, MN and Noah (Amanda) Bohlmann, Lincoln, NE; twin great-grandchildren, Blakely and Zander Bohlmann, Lincoln, NE; and dearest friend, Leroy Sorenson. She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Duane (Carol) Grimme, Georgetown, TX; brother-in-law, Louie Ruman, Tabor; sisters-in-law, Gloria Bohlmann, Menno, Lucille Musil, Yankton, Delores Bohlmann, Yankton, Marcene Shutt, Tyndall and Janice (Steve) Cahoy, Tabor; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Donna was preceded in death by her husband, Leslie in 2004;  sister, Mary (Grimme) Williams in 2022;  brother, Larry Grimme in 2023; brothers-in-law, Oscar (infancy), Elmer, Rudy, Leo, Danny, Bobby and Melvin Bohlmann and Cliff Williams; sisters-in-law, Lois Grimme, Mildred Ruman, Berniece Slupe, Beverly (Betty) Bohlmann, Phyllis Bohlmann and Pat Bohlmann;  brothers-in-law, Don Musil and LeRoy Slupe; nieces, Lori Schrempp and Debbie Williams; nephews, Scott Williams, Rick Keese, Greg Liebl and Michael Bohlmann.