Memorial services for Donna Joan Syverson (aka Donna Jo, Joey), 87, of Cambridge, MN, and formerly of Mobridge, SD, will be at 11 AM, Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mobridge.

Donna passed away on August 6, 2026, at GracePointe Crossing in Cambridge, MN.

Donna was born to James A. Peterson and Donna Burt Peterson on March 29, 1939, in Webster, SD. Donna was the middle of three children. Her family lived in Superior, WI, during the war years while her father worked in shipyards building ships. She attended Kindergarten and 1st Grade in Watertown, SD, before moving back to Webster. She graduated from Webster High School in 1957. In high school, she played bass clarinet in the All State Band, was an officer of State Future Homemakers of America (FHA) and the local FHA President. While growing up she spent summers at Enemy Swim Lake while her dad owned and operated a resort.

Donna graduated from South Dakota State College in 1961 with a BS in Home Economics. While at SDSC she sang with the Pasquettes, was a Senior Class Officer, a Floor Proctor, and a member of Angel Flight. She worked one summer at Wall Drug and another summer at a Girl’s Camp in northern Minnesota.

Donna was married to H. Richard Syverson from 1962-1978. They were blessed with 4 children, William (Bill), Ann, Amy and Sara. Donna worked as a teacher for 1 year in Luverne, MN, before moving to Mobridge in 1963. She taught the first year in Mobridge, took time away to raise her children, then taught 23 more years, retiring in 2001. Many Mobridge HS graduates learned their cooking skills from Donna. Later in her career, she also added science and computer classes to her teaching schedule. In 2021, Donna moved to GracePointe Crossing in Cambridge, MN, to be closer to her family.

Donna was involved in many civic activities in Mobridge. She served on the Library Board, the School Board, co-chaired the Mobridge Centennial Committee, on the fundraising committee for the “Walleye Up” Statue, active in Jaycee-ettes, Girl Scout leader, and volunteered for Bridges Against Domestic Violence.

Donna was also active in Trinity Lutheran Church (choir, bells, Sunday School, fundraising, TLCW), played lots of bridge, was a member of Arts & Travel Study Club, started the local chapter of the Red Hat Society, decorated tables for fundraising luncheons, made countless cards on her computer, and enjoyed many cups of coffee with friends at Homespun.

Those left to cherish her memory are her children, William “Bill” (Pam Mrozek), Ann (Matthew) Touhey, Amy (Todd) Murphy and Sara (Norman) Nagel. She also is survived by grandchildren Bradley (Jessica), Colin (Frances), Madeline (Jacob), Addison (Jacob), Jack (Leah), and Wyatt; brother James (Patricia) Peterson; brother-in-law Richard Manthei; other loved ones include numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Donna, and sister Karen Manthei.

Special thanks to the staff at GracePointe Crossing and Optage Hospice for their compassionate care for Donna.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Tiger Educational Foundation for a scholarship in Donna’s name (PO Box 622, Mobridge, SD 57601) or Trinity Lutheran Church (918 1st Ave E, Mobridge, SD 57601).