Donna J. Kinzley

Donna J. Kinzley

( October 26, 1924 - December 07, 2019 )

Donna Jean (Forster) Kinzley passed away peacefully on December 7 at the Hospice House in Rapid City, surrounded by her family. Donna was born to Anton and Ethel Forster on October 26, 1924 and grew up on a farm near Salem, SD with her three older siblings. She earned a degree as a registered nurse from Presentation School of Nursing in Mitchell and served in the Cadet nursing program during and after WWII, living in Colorado, Texas and New York. On October 3, 1948 Donna married Don Kinzley and they raised their family in Salem over the following decades. Donna moved to Rapid City in 1978 after Don’s passing.

Donna was truly a servant to her fellow man, actively involved for years as a volunteer in the Davies Room at Rapid City Regional and in the Hospice program in Rapid City; and participating in various Calvary Lutheran Church activities and as a member of the local PEO chapter CK. More importantly, she was an exemplary Christian example for her family and others close to her. She never sought recognition or attention, and presented herself modestly and with dignity. Donna was a fine representative of the Greatest Generation. She loved to cook for her family, regularly hosting the extended family for big meals, and enjoyed quilting and china painting with her friends. She also knew how to have fun, happy to enjoy a good bourbon with friends and family!

Donna is survived by her daughters Mary Benz – Rapid City and Gloria Hauan (Mark) – Loveland, CO; son Richard Kinzley (Cindy) – Rapid City; daughter-in-law Sharon Kinzley – Salem, SD; and 11 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband; her siblings Floyd, Mary (Micky), and Maxine; her son Mike, and her son-in-law Butch.

The family would like to thank the staffs at Primrose Retirement Community, Victorian Assisted Living Community, Fountain Springs Nursing Home, Rapid City Regional Hospital and Hospice House for their care of our mother during her final years. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made out to Hospice House of the Black Hills or Storybook Island.

Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00 pm on Thursday, Dec. 12, at Calvary Lutheran Church, 5311 Sheridan Lake Rd.

Her funeral service will be at 9:00 am on Friday, Dec. 13, at Calvary Lutheran Church.

Burial will be at 12 Noon at the Black Hills National Cemetery.

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