Donna Mae Geerdes

Donna Geerdes passed away peacefully on January 28th in Rochester, MN. She was surrounded by love and support from her family during her final days. All three of her children were with her as she took her final breath. Donna was born in Postville, Iowa on December 14th, 1931 to Kenneth and Mildred Livingood. She was the fourth of eleven children. At 15, she moved to Lenora, MN and graduated from Canton High School in Canton, MN in 1950. Donna graduated from Rogers and Benner School of Cosmetology in Minneapolis, MN in 1952. Her career in cosmetology included a salon in Minneapolis, and she worked at St. Mary's Beauty Salon in Rochester, MN. She married John E. Geerdes, Jr. on Sept. 12, 1953 in Rochester. They had a wonderful life there and raised 3 children. Sadly, John passed away from pancreatic cancer in 1983. Years later, Donna met Harlan "Harley" Radue and they spent many wonderful years together until he passed in 2010. She most recently lived at The Homestead at Rochester. Donna lived a full life and will be forever loved, honored, and missed deeply by her family and friends. She was most passionate about her family and her community. When her children were young, she volunteered as a Girl Scout Leader, Cub Scout Leader, and at Horace Mann Elementary School. She was a 50+ year member of Christ United Methodist Church and very involved in church circles. Each summer, she and John packed up the kids in their pop-up camper and hit the road - camping everywhere from Yellowstone to Washington, D.C. Although a beautician by training, the hours didn't fit the life she wanted with her family. So Donna went to Rochester Community College and became certified in Food Service. She worked in the Mayo High School cafeteria for the next 23 years, supervising special needs work-study students. She said working at her children's school cafeteria was ideal - it not only enabled her to do something she loved, but it allowed her to be home with her children. In addition, she took care of her elderly mother for 20 years and was the glue for her siblings - always hosting the family get-togethers and coordinating the camping trips. In retirement, she enjoyed dancing, gardening, baking wonderful breads and visiting her 3 children and 7 grandchildren. Although she loved her hometown of Rochester, she and Harley enjoyed "snowbirding" each winter in Harlingen, Texas. Donna is survived by 2 brothers, 3 children, 8 grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. Her brothers are Milton Livingood (Marlys) of Northfield, MN, and Garland Livingood in FL. Her 3 children are Dawn Sadelle Renfrow (Doug) of Nampa, ID, Bradley John Geerdes (Emily) of Durham, NC and Gregg Paul Geerdes (Pam) of Rochester, MN. Her cherished grandchildren are Jeremy Quade (Charissa) of Phoenix, AZ, Emily Renfrow Thueson (Kaden) of Clarkston, WA, Whitney Geerdes Hewitt of Cary, NC, Charlotte Stewart Metcalf (Ryan) and daughter Calloway of Orlando, FL, Anna Stewart Buckley (David) of Philadelphia, PA, Adam Renfrow (Alyssa) of Meridian, ID, John R. Geerdes of Minneapolis, MN and Elizabeth Geerdes in Minneapolis, MN. Donna is preceded in death by her parents Kenneth and Mildred Livingood, her husband John E. Geerdes, Jr., her companion Harlan "Harley" Radue, and siblings Ivanelle Soland, Violet Livingood, Robert Livingood, June Livingood, Mavis (Carlton) Vine, Darrell Livingood, Paul Livingood (Jan), and Mary Ann Virgilito. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2020 at Christ United Methodist Church in Rochester. Burial was at Grandview Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association at act.alz.org or 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes is honored to be serving the Geerdes family. To leave a special memory or condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com