Donna Elaine Hoiberg

Donna Elaine Linnum was born October 23, 1931 on a farm near Church’s Ferry, ND. The daughter of Haakon and Mary (Ellingson) Linnum, she was baptized into the Lutheran faith at Big Coulee Lutheran Church. She attended a small country school for the first 6 grades then to Penn, ND for 7th and 8th. She graduated from high school at Lakota, ND in 1949. She started her career as an operator for Northwestern Bell beginning in Lakota, transferring to Grand Forks in 1967 and to Fargo as Staff Manager, Operator Services in 1982. She retired from US West in 1986.

On September 14, 1952 she married Sherman Hoiberg. They lived in Lakota, on a farm near Pekin, Grand Forks and finally to Fargo, ND where they have lived since.

She was an active member of her church as Sunday School and Bible School teacher, office assistant, WELCA and Circle member and Librarian.

Donna enjoyed family and friends, summers at the lake, traveling, fellowship with the Winter Texans bunch, the water exercise group at the Y, the NDSU Basketball group, and her “Elim Family”. She loved all the events the grandchildren and great grandchildren were in. Her response at the end of every phone call, card, and letter to them all was: I love you for always, I love you forever, I love you no matter what!

She was preceded in death by her husband, Sherman, parents, 3 sisters and 1 brother. She is survived by her 2 daughters, Michelle (Merle) Forde of Tolna, ND, Sandy (Steve) Kuntz of Ottertail, MN, her 2 sons, Steven Hoiberg and Stacey (Amy) Hoiberg of Fargo, ND. Also surviving are 8 grandchildren; Justin (Renee) Forde, Jill (Joe) Forde, Shane (Tara) Kuntz, Stefanie (Pat) Johnson, Zachary, Sydney, Kaatla and Niisa Hoiberg and 8 great grandchildren; Joshua, Ryan, Jason, Ashlynn, Hayden, Hudson, Levi, Emily and 1 on the way; and several nieces, nephews, and brothers/sisters-in-law who were special to her as well.

A special thank you to the Roger Maris Cancer Center, Dr. Denise Snow, Renae, Ashley and the infusion center staff – you all provided wonderful care and in Donna’s words “They were the best!” We are all appreciative of the caring staff of Hospice of the Red River Valley as well.

Memorials preferred, to Elim Lutheran Church