Donna M. Case

Donna Mae Hotzler, daughter of Lester and Henrietta (Karstens) Hotzler, was born on May 24, 1941, in Worthington, Minnesota. Donna was baptized on June 22, 1941, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Okabena, MN. Later, Donna was confirmed in the Lutheran faith on April 11, 1954, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church of North Mankato, MN.

Donna and her family lived in Okabena, MN, and then moved to North Mankato, MN, when she was in the second grade. In June 1959, she graduated from Mankato West High School. Donna graduated from Mankato State College on December 20, 1963, with a B.S. degree in Elementary Education. In January of 1964, Donna was hired by the Richfield, Minnesota School District to teach sixth grade at Portland Elementary.

Donna married Gaylen R. Case on August 1, 1964, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in N. Mankato. The couple moved to Shakopee, MN. Later Donna substitute taught in Shakopee, an din the fall of 1979, Donna started teaching Title I/Chapter I for the Chaska, MN School District. She retired from the Chaska School District in June of 2003. Donna was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Shakopee, until 2012. The couple remained living in Shakopee.

Donna passed away on Monday, February 16, 2026, at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, MN. She was 84 years of age. Donna was preceded in death by her husband, Gaylen; and parents, Lester and Henrietta Hotzler. She is survived by one daughter, Julie Aardahl; one son, Kevin Case and wife, Gwen; and four grandsons, Evan and Ethan Case, and Caleb and Joshua Aardahl.

Donna enjoyed the many blessings that she received from God, which included her husband, Gaylen and her family, relatives and friends, teaching children, church activities, traveling, life, and creating new family memories.

Visitation Saturday, February 28, 2026, from 9:30-10:30 AM; followed by Funeral Service at 10:30 AM, both at First Presbyterian Church, 909 Marschall Road, Shakopee. Interment Valley Cemetery, Shakopee. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Samaritan's Purse.