Remembering Donna Thompson

Donna Lu (Knauss) Thompson, retired secretary for the Honors Program, died  Friday, June 23, 2017 at Altru Hospital. She was 83.

Donna was born in Cooperstown, N.D. on January 8, 1934 to Donald and Letha (Kolberg) Knauss. She moved to Hannaford, N.D. and attended school there and graduated from Hannaford High School in 1952.

Donna graduated from Aaker’s Business College in Grand Forks. She was employed at the University of North Dakota for 25 years, working as a secretary in the Social Work Department, the College of Human Resources and Development, Occupational Therapy Department and the Honors Program. She was awarded a UND Meritorious Service Award.

She was a member, deacon and elder at First Presbyterian Church in Grand Forks. She belonged to Eastern Star while living in Goodrich and served as Sunday School superintendent there.

She is survived by her husband Lowell of 65 years and their children, daughters LuAnn Burris, Denise (John) Horpedahl and sons, Jody (Machell) Thompson and Mike (Deb) Thompson all of Grand Forks.

She is also survived by her 9 grandchildren, Jerrod, Andee and DJ Burris; Craig and Carrie Horpedahl; Travis and Taylor Thompson; Tyler and Hailey Thompson and 11 great-grandchildren.

She enjoyed her family most all, her church, her friends, her animals and playing cards. She especially enjoyed watching her children, grandchildren and great-grand children in school events and athletics.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to First Presbyterian Women or the Grand Forks Humane Society.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, June 27, at First Presbyterian Church in Grand Forks.