Marion Donley

Marion L. Donley, 93, of Perham, MN, died Thursday, June 26, 2025 at Hadley House Assisted Living Center in Perham.

Marion was born on December 26, 1931, in Fergus Falls, MN, to Victor and Agnes Torgerson. She attended grade school in Richville, MN and Fergus Falls, MN and graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1949. She was the middle child in a family of five children and the only daughter. She is preceded in death by her husband Duane Donley, parents Victor and Agnes Torgerson, brothers Eugene, Donald and Larry Torgerson. She is survived by her brother James of Battle Lake, MN and children Janice (Steve Johannesen) Donley of Scottsdale, AZ; David (Beth) Donley of Ottertail; Julie Donley of Perham; Diane Donley of Ottertail; Pam Donley of Basswood; and Cindy (Jeff) Dewar of Perham. She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Chris Donley, Andy Hanson, Sarah Pearson, Kate Nelson, Ali Schmitz, David Lund, Eve Mann, Adam Donley and Olivia Von Behren; and 17 great grandchildren: Kaitlyn, Rayden, Aiden, Piper, Jackson, Chase, Libby, Milo, Harvey, Mabel, Wesley, Noah, Oliver, Theodore, Thea, Devin and Christina.

Marion and Duane joined Amor Zion Lutheran Church when they moved to the farm in Basswood and five of their children were baptized there. Sunday School and church services were weekly events and Marion participated in ladies aid for many years.

Marion was a life-long partner with Duane on their dairy farm in Basswood, MN where they raised their six children. When Marion was first married she didn't know how to cook but quickly learned how to feed a growing family by having a garden and canning and freezing fruits and vegetables and always cooking from "scratch". There were always fresh cakes and cookies for her children when they came home from school and the neighbors always knew when to stop by in the morning for coffee when fragrant desserts were coming out of the oven. There was always room for one more at their table and Marion worked her magic in making sure everyone had enough to eat. She also made sure that all of her children could cook before they left home.

Marion and Duane also owned and operated Donley's Sunrise Resort on Dead Lake for 25 years. The resort guests soon learned that their cabin would always be very clean with all the essentials they would need for a week's stay in the summer where they enjoyed fishing and swimming and lake activities. They returned year after year, many were considered "family" and no one was a stranger.

As Marion soon learned, your children never leave "home". There was always a room for them and home cooked meals when they needed it. She helped nurse them after serious accidents, surgeries, illnesses. She provided a shoulder to cry on after divorces and unexpected life changes. There were never "mistakes", just "good learning experiences".

Marion loved to entertain friends and family on the farm and later at their winter home in Apache Junction, AZ. She always made holidays special with meals that her family and friends will always remember. There was always a special cake on birthdays along with a favorite meal for each of her children. And Marion always had the best snacks for Happy Hour when she could relax and enjoy talking and laughing with friends.

In her later years, Marion loved to travel, and she and Duane made several trips to Europe to visit friends and explore places where they had never been. She loved walking down the Champs Elysee in Paris, one of her favorite cities. Without knowing other languages, she could always communicate with everyone. Whether it was talking with a Japanese businessman, Belgian dignitary to the Queen or a Mexican mariachi band musician, she always seemed to understand and find something in common to smile about and relate to.

Marion grew from a shy young woman in her teens to a strong confidant woman in her nineties. And when her short-term memory worsened, she still had many memories of the good times with friends and family and the people she met and helped along the way. Although she had six children, many more saw her as "mom" and would return year after year to spend time with her talking about the "good old days". One nephew, Danny Barry and his wife Cheryl, visited several times a month and always brought a sweet roll from the bakery to enjoy. Her greatest joy was when she could spend time with her great-grandchildren when they visited. She always had plenty of hugs to go around for all!

Marion's home for the past six years was at Hadley House in Perham and many of the staff (nurses, management and aides) became like family to her. The Donley family wants to thank them for the constant care and love and hugs she received from them through the years.

Gifts preferred to Humane Society of Otter Tail County, MN. Online: humanesocietyotc.org. Check the box for "write a comment" and add the note: "In memory of Marion L Donley of Perham, 1931-2025."

Memorial service: 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 11, 2025 at Zion Lutheran Church of Amor, with visitation one-hour prior to the service at the church. Please refer back to Marion's Tribute Wall for a link to the livestream.

Clergy: Reverend Chris Mathiason

Interment: Oakwood Cemetery, rural Richville, MN

Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls.

Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com