Donna (Templer) Axtman

Donna (Templer) Axtman, age 79, of Moorhead, MN, died Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at her daughter’s home in Burlington, ND.

Donna Lou Templer was born July 3, 1942, in Washington State.  She was raised in Forman, ND, by her grandparents, Gilbert and Rose Isensee.  Donna graduated from high school in 1960, and then began nurses training at Devils Lake, ND.  Donna met and was married to  Joseph Axtman in 1963.   They made their home in Devils Lake where they raised their children.  She worked as an LPN and later Surgery Tech in Valley City, ND,  and Devils Lake. 

She enjoyed learning and was in the Lake Region Jr. College, Devils Lake  carpentry program 1969 – 1970.   She graduated  from ND State School of Science, Wahpeton, ND, with a Parts Management and Merchandising certificate in 1985.  She had enrolled in an EMT program, and later served as an EMT.  In 1973, Donna became the 2nd woman in North Dakota to enter the ND Army National Guard, where she served for 29 years.

Donna loved nature – she enjoyed fishing and being outdoors.  She also loved her pets and doing woodworking.  In the 1960’s, she was a member of the Blue Angels Women’s Basketball team.

She is survived by her daughter Tamara (Ken) Kraft, Burlington, ND; four grandchildren Mandy Smith, Jenny Bittle, Tyler Piatz and Kayla Rutherford; ten great-grandchildren; and one sister Lorene (Jim) Jones, Fairfield, Ohio.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, her grandparents, and her precious son, James “Butch” Axtman.                                                                  

“Our family would like to thank all of you for your many acts of kindness.  Your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated during this tough time.  May God bless the memory of Donna”.

Funeral:  3 pm Saturday, April 30, 2022, in West Funeral Home, West Fargo, ND, with Visitation held one hour prior to her service.

Burial:  Holy Cross Cemetery – North, Fargo, ND, with Military Honors provided by ND National Guard and Arthur W. Jones VFW Post #7564, West Fargo.

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

 westfuneralhome.com

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