Donna M. Stierlen Cantrell, 82
Donna M. Stierlen Cantrell, 82, died April 4, 2013 at her home in Ava, Missouri.
Donna Marie was born June 14, 1930 in Sutherland, Nebraska. As a young girl Donna was blessed to become an adopted daughter of Harold and Maxine (Dikeman) Armstrong. On September 19, 1946, Donna and Lester O. Stierlen were united in marriage at Paxton, Nebraska. Donna, Les, and their three daughters moved to Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota, in the mid 1950s where they farmed. With the help of neighbors, Donna kept the farm and family going when a logging accident disabled Les for a time. During the years spent in this area, Donna also worked at Tom’s Café and Olds Dry Cleaners in Baudette. She served as a 4-H leader and also enjoyed participating in a square dance group and a ladies group.
In the early 1960s, Donna moved to Missouri. On August 3, 1965, at Miami, Oklahoma, Donna married Harold Cantrell, adding five stepchildren to her family. Working side by side, Donna and Harold owned and operated a trucking business at Mountain Grove, Missouri for many years. Donna loved animals and had trained many horses throughout her youth. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, painting, and flowers but most of all Donna treasured time spent with her family.
Survivors include her husband, Harold, her daughters, Judith (Skeeter) Bastin and Kathleen (Robert) Potter, all of Ava, MO, and L. Gale (Dennis) Johnson of Williams, MN; five stepchildren all of MO: Dan, Marretta (Terry) Voyles, Les (Lisa), Marty, and Marcie; five grandchildren: Roger and LeRay Potter, Michelle Funk and Mickey Spangler, all of MO, and Weston Johnson, Williams, MN; seven step-grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and 12 step-great-grandchildren; one brother, Raymond (Sharon) Armstrong; one sister, Virginia Fay; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
In addition to her parents, Donna was preceded in death by an infant son, Harold Cantrell Jr., two brothers and two brothers-in-law.
Services were held Monday, April 8, 2013 from Clinkingbeard Chapel at Ava Missouri with interment in Thornfield Cemetery, Thornfield, Missouri.
