Donna Lannoye, age 94, of Yuma, Arizona and Cokato, Minnesota, passed away peacefully Sunday, March 23, 2025, at Maxi's Loving Place in Yuma, Arizona.

Donna Mae was born on June 16, 1930, to Elmer and Mabel (Tollefson) Jensen. She was 1 of 11 children and grew up in Edmore, North Dakota. After graduating, Donna moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota where she met her future husband, Robert (Bob) Lannoye. The couple married in 1947 in Thief River Falls, Minnesota.

In the early 1950s, Donna and Bob moved to Big Lake, Minnesota where they built a new home. After Bob's father passed away in 1961, they took over Lannoye Grocery in Big Lake, working together until Bob's retirement in the mid-1980s. Donna later worked and retired from Hoffman Engineering in Anoka, Minnesota.

Shortly after Bob passed away, Donna spent her winters in Winterhaven, Florida. After several hurricanes, she sold her Florida property and went to live in Yuma, Arizona to be closer to her sisters, Carol and Mavis.

After selling the family home in Big Lake, Donna purchased a place in the Cokato RV Park, where she met her significant other of 20 years, Roger Dircks. Roger also owned a place in Cokato RV Park and Mesa Verde RV Park in Yuma, AZ. Together, they spent their winters in Yuma and summers in Minnesota.

Donna was hard-working and quick witted. Donna was generous without expecting anything in return. She loved to read, cook, and play cards… but hated losing! The minute you walked in the house, she asked "Wanna have a game?". Donna was so stylish that even her grandkids would accept many of her secondhand clothing to wear for themselves. When Donna was married to Bob, he would take photos of people and families and Donna would color them in (before colored photos were a thing). Even in her old age, she was as beautiful on the outside as she was on the inside; She was kind, loving, and thoughtful to the people closest to her. Donna taught water aerobics at the Cokato Campground Pool for a few years. Even up until her last years, her personality was always young at heart; Donna effortlessly made everyone laugh and smile.

Donna was open-minded and empathetic; she didn't judge others in their internal struggles and was an open ear as she cared to know how people were really doing. From her twinkling brown eyes, to her sweet smile, and her warm hug, she naturally made others feel loved.

For the last 15 years of Donna's life, she had what felt like constant health problems, but she always kept a positive attitude and was a true fighter. She always surprised her care team with how resilient she was. Donna believed in God and was at peace with whatever might happen to her.

Donna is survived by her loving significant other, Roger Dircks; her children, Valerie (Terry) Millman of Peoria, IL. David Lannoye of Cokato, MN/Yuma, AZ and Rick Lannoye of Walker, MN/Yuma, AZ; her brothers, Carlin and Mike, and her sister Carol. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Gretchen, Justin, Lance, Katie, Melissa, Tiffany, Brian, and Rachelle, and great-grandchildren: Cayne, Braden, Alaina, Kipton, Everett, Gabrielle, Bella, Olivia, Madalyn, Ella, Evelyn, and Henry.

Donna was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Lannoye; her son, Robert Lannoye; her parents, Elmer and Mabel; her brothers: Vinol, Jesse, Lloyd, John, and Dale; and her sisters Mavis and Beverly.

She will live on in our hearts forever!