Donna Kurtenbach

Donna Kurtenbach, age 92 of Hendricks, MN and formerly of Brandt, SD passed away on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at the Hendricks Community Hospital Nursing Home in Hendricks, MN. Funeral service will be held at 10:30am on Thursday, August 22nd at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Astoria, SD. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7pm on Wednesday, August 21st at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Astoria. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at the Bethany Lutheran Cemetery, Astoria, SD. Houseman Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.
Donna Marie Kurtenbach was born March 9, 1932 to Niels and Elisabeth Nielsen on a farm near Brandt, SD. She attended Cloverdale District #8 School and graduated from Astoria High School in 1950. Donna was baptized and confirmed at Highland Lutheran Church in Brandt. Following graduation, she worked at the Brandt Creamery, Hawley Hardware and Garage, and Brandt Post Office.
Donna was united in marriage to Willis Kurtenbach on November 14, 1953. Together they were blessed with four children, which they raised on the family farm instilling values of hard work and faith. While raising her children, Donna worked for Interlakes Community Action, Social Services and Home Connection in Watertown, SD as a CNA for 20+ years. Donna also worked together with Willis on the family farm. Willis passed away on November 19, 2022.
She was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Astoria where she was involved with WELCA. Donna was also a member of the Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed spending time with family, cooking, baking, embroidery, and doing crossword puzzles.
Grateful for having shared Donna's life are her four children: Wayne (Kathy) Kurtenbach, Toronto, SD, Marlene King, Toronto, SD, Darla (Jim) Poss, Brookings, SD and Lisa (Steve) Vandendriessche, Marshall, MN; 11 grandchildren: Chad (Sarah) Kurtenbach, Rob (Rachel) Kurtenbach, Alicia (Jared) Gass, Jesse (Emily) King, Brady (Erin) King, Cody (Kayleigh Boucher) King, Kari (Casey) Culver, Jerad (Carolyn) Poss, Jordan Poss, Kayla (Chris) Kubitz, Shauna (Tory Miller) Vandendriessche; great-grandchildren: Pierce and Ava Kurtenbach, Trey, Liam and Crew Kurtenbach, Isaac, Eli, Everly and Israel Gass, Brody Hall, Kendall and Colt King, Briar King and Rip King, William and Leo Poss and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband Willis; parents; three brothers: Arnold, Ing and Harold Nielsen; two sisters: Lillie Barkve and Stella Squires; grandson, Ryan Poss and granddaughter, Alissa Vandendriessche.