August 10, 1931 – Weekday, September 15, 2012
Service Information
Jesus People Church in Rogers, MN
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
1:30 P.M.
Visitation Information
AT THE CHURCH
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
12:30-1:30P.M.
Donna Mae Baldwin
On Saturday, September 15, 2012 our beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Sister in Law, Aunt, Cousin and Friend, Donna Mae Baldwin, went to be with the Lord.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday September 19, 2012 at the Jesus People Church, 10925 Trail Haven Road, Rogers, MN. Viewing will begin at 12:30 PM with the Church Service starting at 1:30 PM. Burial will be at the Elmwood Cemetery in Rockford, Minnesota.
Donna was born to John and Hazel (Holland) Bjorkman in Long Lake Township, Watonwan County, Minnesota on August 10, 1931. Donna attended country school in Galena Township & in Triumph, Minnesota, graduating from the Tri-Mont High School, Triumph, Minnesota with the class of 1949. As a young woman Donna worked as a secretary.
April 4, 1950 Donna married the sweetheart of her life, Warren “Bud’ Baldwin, in rural St. James, Minnesota. To this union they brought 3 sons and 1 daughter into their lives. Donna and Bud celebrated 59 years of marriage together. Donna poured her life into raising and spending time with her children. She taught them the art of cooking, baking, crocheting, how to sew buttons on, memorization of their Bible versus, and the way to the Lord.
Donna grew up in a religious home. She attended a church regularly and believed if the good things she did would outweigh the bad things then someday God would allow her into Heaven. She married Bud and it wasn’t too long before he was drafted and sent to the Army. When he was sent overseas Donna went to live with her sister and her husband. Her sister was saved while in the hospital when their son was born. She came home radiant and telling Donna about how she met Jesus. Her sister told Donna to read the book of Romans so each night she would read and when she came to Rom. 3:23 she became very miserable. One morning she hurried downstairs in tears and told her sister “I have to get saved”. Her sister quoted Rev. 3:20 to Donna and Donna bowed her head and invited Jesus to be her Savior and Lord. Right away Donna saw only two kinds of people – the lost and the saved.
After her husband was discharged from the Army, Donna and he moved back to Minnesota. Donna enjoyed her life as a wife, mother and home maker. She enjoyed baking, and at Christmas time selling her baked items to purchase Christmas gifts for her children. However, Donna felt there was something more she should be doing to serve the Lord, and that is when she started her beloved career as a “Foster Mom” the job she dearly loved for over 50 years. She was blessed with each child that entered her home, and turned many of those children to the Lord. Donna had babies in her home until the time of her diagnosis of Merkel Cell Carcinoma.
Donna enjoyed spending time at Bible Studies, hosting Bible Studies in her home, attending Church, caring for children and entertaining guests in her home. She enjoyed being of help to those in need through praying, cooking, baking, sewing, crocheting, and companionship. She had a gentle spirit, a wise mind, and a very calming nature.
Donna was preceded in death by her husband Warren “Bud” Baldwin, daughter Elaine Baldwin, her parents John & Hazel Bjorkman and sister LaVonne Gaalswyk.
Donna is survived by her 3 sons – David (Cheri) Baldwin of Savage, MN, Randal (Linda) Baldwin of Glendive, MT, Timothy (Carla) Baldwin of Heber Springs, AR, Foster Daughter Angeline (Shawn) Arline and Foster Son Jeff Gaffke, her sister in law Marlene (Vic) Coleman from St. James, MN, Brother in Law John Gaalswyk of Owatonna, MN. She is survived by several nieces, nephews, and close friends. The Lord blessed Donna with 14 Grandchildren and 14 Great Grandchildren.
The Peterson Chapel of St. Michael, Minnesota has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.
Our deepest sympathy is extended to the family and loved ones but especially to my cousins David, Randy and Timothy as we are grieving our loss of one of the greatest examples of what the love of Jesus Christ looks like in action. Donna Mae was one of the most loving and self-sacrificing mother, wife, aunt, or woman, that I have been blessed to have known. Donna Mae was an example to all of us of what it looks like to care for those less fortunate than our self, with her heart for children in need of a home and arms that would hold them and love them.
May our Lord be there with all of you through this even though Linda and I cannot be there. These are the times when I most regret consequences of decisions I made 37 years ago which keep me away from my family when we need each other the most. For that I am sorry, and I apologize to my cousins and family for not being with you.
Donna was one of the most humble, Godly woman we have ever met. We met her at the Rockford Alliance Church. Her and Bud were always at the door to greet people. We feel very blessed to have known her. Our sincere sympathy for the entire family.
I considered her my mother. I am sorry she’s gone. I will miss her. To Dave, Randy And Tim and the rest of the family, I’m so sorry.
Dear Donna and Bud Baldwin,
Thank you for being the only good foster home I can remember and those things you did for me and the precious moments Bible you gave to me, I pray your souls rest in the peace of the Lord our God, I pray every child in foster care comes to a home that will be of people who love Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit and their actions reflect. Thank you and God bless May you Rest In Peace with Gods everlasting love.
The best years of my life (87-91) were spent in her home. I was a troubled child who grew up to be a troubled man. I am far from perfect. “Only the Lord is perfect” is something Mom would say to me constantly. I probably would have made far worse choices later in life if not for the love I was shown by Mom while my own father was in prison for a crime I would repeat 27 years later. Unlike my father, I (1)admitted my crime and eventually (2)asked the Lord for forgiveness. (3)I am still working on forgiving myself. I owe (1) and (2) to my time on Rebecca Park Trail with the woman I called Mom and the man I called Dad.
I am sorry my anxiety got the most of me. It took me doing some time to finally understand why I was the way I was.
Donna was my very last foster mom before I was adopted by the Hoovers. She was the best mom any child could ask for. When I heard of her passing I was completely heart broken. I love you mom.