Miriam Donnan

Miriam Donnan, 88, died peacefully at her home in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota August 7, 2025, with her husband Terry by her side. Her children, sister, relatives and friends were with her in the days and hours before she died and her family is thankful for the kindness and care provided by Red River Hospice and Pelican Landing staff when she needed their support.

Miriam will be deeply missed and greatly appreciated for the vitality, adventure and love she brought into the world and shared with her husband, children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, relatives and lifelong friends.

A self-described tomboy early in life, Miriam's bare feet explored the sand and waters of Pelican Lake during the summers of her childhood. This love for Pelican Lake and lake summers was a gift she passed on to her husband and children, who then spent their summers on the sands of Pelican Lake.

Miriam was born in Fargo, North Dakota, in 1937. She made the first of many lifelong friends when she was four years old and told her mother, "There's a little girl following me around,” and her mother replied, "let me introduce you." That was the day her friendship with Lois (Briggs) Williams began. Many more enduring friendships were formed through a potluck group that met and socialized during Miriam’s Fargo years—and for decades to follow.

After graduating from Fargo High School in 1955, Miriam graduated from the University of North Dakota, where she was active with the campus Episcopalian Church, the Gamma Phi Beta sorority, and met her future husband, Terry Donnan. After she and Terry married, they lived briefly in Thief River Falls and Grand Forks before settling in Wahpeton, North Dakota, to raise their family.

In Wahpeton, Miriam was a talented teacher and often taught mathematics and physical education. She also completed a master's degree in education. She was active in civic groups, PEO, and Trinity Episcopal Church. She was a good bowler, golfer, and played a mean hand of bridge.

More importantly, wherever Miriam went, she brought enthusiasm, kindness, love, and fairness to the table. She was a generous host, especially when summer came, and many holidays and golf tournaments were paired with Miriam's fabulous lemon meringue pie, popcorn, laughter, and late-night Scrabble at the cabin on Pelican Lake.

Her son, Bradley Scott Donnan, brother, Barrett Johnson, and sister, Kathryn Dahlberg, preceded her in death. 

She is survived by her husband, Terry Donnan; daughter, Amy Donnan Neppl (Brian), and son, Barry Donnan (Annette); her daughter-in-law, Beckie Donnan; and grandchildren, Brianna, Candace, Carter, and Davis Donnan; Lexi Wasvick and her children, Weston and Berkley. Her sister, Priscilla Lundberg of Phoenix, Arizona, was often with her the days before she died.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm, Friday, August 15, at Vertin Munson Funeral Home, 224 6th Street North, Wahpeton, North Dakota, with family time following the service.