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Donna Mae (Kehl) Miller, 75, of Taylors Falls, Minnesota, passed away in her home January 22, 2024, from cancer. She is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Wayne; sons Wayne Jr. (Tanya), Daniel (Jubilynn), Gary (Jennifer) and daughter Jenette (Jamie); grandchildren: George, Rachel, Diane (Nadia), James Jr., Donata, Allison (Josh), Daniel Jr., Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Katherine, and Natalie; and great-grandchildren JJ and Greta; as well as siblings: Mary Kay (Max), Beverly, Bill (Gina), Bob (Patti) and Colleen; brothers and sisters-in-law Jim (Kathy), Linda (Wayne) and Terry (Debbie); Uncle George, Aunt Pat, and many nieces and nephews, and cousins.

Born to Herman and Lorraine Kehl on August 23, 1948, at Bethesda Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota, Donna grew up on the East Side of St. Paul, the second of eight siblings in a warm and bustling household. She graduated from Johnson High School, Class of ’66, and married Wayne, the love of her life, soon after. They went on to have four wonderful children, 12 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. Wayne and Donna loved and flirted with each other throughout their entire marriage.

Donna loved to be outside enjoying God’s creation on her bike as well as hiking and cross-country ski trails. She loved swimming, camping and adventures of any kind. In the early 90s, Donna was employed at Belwin Outdoor Education Laboratory where she worked in the office and with the school children of St. Paul and enjoyed opportunities to go outdoor adventuring, prompting her to say, “I feel like I’ve been promoted half-way to heaven!”

Donna was a talented gardener and homemaker, keeping her home beautiful and always welcoming, both inside and out. She was incredibly creative, producing beautiful poems, artwork, creative writing, and sewing clothing, home décor, baby quilts, and many various items. Donna was also famous in her community for her beautiful handwriting, having learned calligraphy, and many people still cherish the handwritten cards, awards, and dedication and baptism certificates that she wrote out with such care and detail. 

Donna was loving, kind, merciful and so very patient; she always believed the best of people, and coaxed the best out of them. She used words to build up those in her life, never to tear down. She was generous to all and wore the hat of “Neighborhood Grandma” with grace and good humor. Donna loved Jesus, and came to saving faith in her early 20s, thanks to God’s grace. She loved His Word and led Bible studies in and out of her home for many years. She invested in the children of her local church through their Awana program, shaping the lives and faith of many. Donna was transformed by the Word of God, especially Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and not of yourselves, it is a gift of God; not of good works, so no one can boast.”

She will be greatly missed.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Lorraine Kehl; sisters Joan Knutson and Nancy Esboldt; niece Rebecca Hart; great-nephew Daniel Peabody; and nephew Matthew Barilla.

A visitation is scheduled for Sunday, January 28, 2024, from 2-5 PM, at Grandstrand Funeral Home in Lindstrom, Minnesota. The funeral service will be held at Alliance Church of the Valley on Monday, January 29, 2024, at 11 AM, with a visitation one hour prior. Luncheon to follow the service. For those who wish to attend, a brief interment will take place after lunch.

The Miller Family suggests memorials to Alliance Church of the Valley’s Great Commission Fund in Donna’s honor. The Great Commission Fund supports the Alliance mission work around the world.

Alliance Church of the Valley
1259 State Road 35
St. Croix Falls, WI 54024

Please be sure to write “Great Commission Fund” in memo.

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