James Peter Donner

James Peter Donner was born on November 9, 1931 in Louristan Township. He was the 11th of 12 children born to August and Margaret Donner. When he was 3, they moved to the big town of Gluek where his parents owned a general store that sold groceries, beer and hardware and housed the local post office. They lived in the back of the building. There was no indoor plumbing. Jim took his first shower when he played sports in high school.

Jim went to parochial school in Clara City where the nuns determined that he should be a priest. They took him to visit Creighton HS and talked to him about the seminary. Jim told them, "I'm interested in girls." The girl that caught Jim's eye was Shirley DeGrote. They met on a school bus going to a basketball game where Shirley would be cheerleading. They dated through high school after which Jim joined the Air Force and spent 30 months in Japan during the Korean War, and Shirley went to college. Shirley honored his request to "wait for me," and on July 15, 1954 they were married. Together they raised 6 children.

Jim worked for 35 years at the First Trust Company in St. Paul. Fridays were reserved for the weekly "Heart Meeting". Raising 6 kids didn't allow for a lot of time for outside interests. Vacations usually centered around camping and road trips in the family station wagon. Early retirement afforded Jim and Shirley time to enjoy golf, spending time with friends and wintering in Florida.

Immediate and extended family were very important to Jim. Annual family Christmas parties at the Lowell Inn and a Donner family reunion on the Andiamo river boat were cherished memories for Jim. Grandchildren and great grandchildren were a source of pride. Jim was known to offer suggestions regarding jobs, cars, and potential mates to those he loved. Some listened, some didn't. 

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Shirley; children, Jeanne (Dave) Randall, Pauline (Jeff) Bangma, Peter (Joan), Jamie (Joan), Kathy (Jay) Nyman, and John (Kate); 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, August and Margaret Donner and 11 siblings.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 with visitation one hour prior the Mass at the Church of St. Michael, 611 S. Third St., Stillwater, MN 55082. Burial will be at St. Michael's Cemetery in Bayport. Memorials are preferred to the Little Sisters of the Poor.