LADONNA GERSCH

LADONNA GERSCH 08/03/1952 - 10/03/2025 A Celebration of Life Visitation for LaDonna Gersch, 73, of St. James will be held at LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center in Windom on Saturday, October 11 from 2 to 4 p.m. A private family burial will be held in Lakeview Cemetery in Windom. LaDonna Mae Gersch was born on August 3, 1952, in Ft. Dodge, Iowa, to the late Irvin and Alice (Dehne) Gottschalk. She was baptized in Ft. Dodge. The family lived in Knoke, Iowa, until May of 1959 when they moved to rural Windom where they farmed. LaDonna was confirmed at Lutheran Church of Our Savior in Windom on May 21, 1967. She attended Windom Public Schools, graduating from Windom High School in 1970. In May of 1971, LaDonna moved to St. James and began working for S-T Industries for over 44 years when they closed their doors. On May 22, 1971, LaDonna was united in marriage to Jerry Gersch. This marriage was later dissolved. In April of 1976, LaDonna met the "Love of Her Life", Kurt Marsden. In 1983, they moved to the family farm where Kurt farmed. They loved going on their Harley rides out to West Yellowstone, Jackson Hole and to Sturgis Rally in Rapid City, S.D. LaDonna began walking two miles a day when she was 36 and continued until the fall of 2024. In 2008, LaDonna moved into Park Apartments in St. James. In January 2025 she was diagnosed with ALS. She remained living there until recently, when her health began to decline, and was placed in hospice care at Good Samaritan Society in Jackson. LaDonna passed away there on Friday morning, October 3, 2025, at the age of 73 years. LaDonna is survived by her niece and caregiver, Nikki (Ed) Yonker of Bingham Lake and their family, Austin (fiance Ciera) and Braden; brother-in-law, Bill Crispin Jr. of Windom; sister, Jeanne (Charlie) Johnson of Deerwood and their family, Tanya (Shonn) Wille and their children, Taylor (fiancé Kathleen), daughter Geah, and their unborn baby boy, Coleton (Nikki) and their son Greyson; Monica (Steve) Windorski of Brainerd and their family, Ryan, Tori, Jonathan, Kayla and Keaton; Angie Johnson of Crosby and family Dylan (Wynter) and their unborn baby boy, Addison and her son Oliver, Katie and Angie's longtime partner Craig Smith and their son August (Gus). LaDonna is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Rose Crispin and the "Love of Her Life", Kurt Marsden. Blessed be the memory of LaDonna Mae Gersch. Arrangements are under the care of LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center. Condolences and memories of LaDonna may be shared online at LaCanneFuneralHome.com.