Donna Jean Piper

Northview~North Mankato Mortuary 2060 Commerce Drive North Mankato, MN 56003 (507) 388-2288 Donna J. Piper of North Mankato and formerly of Vernon Center, died Saturday, October 10, 2015 at Oak Terrace Assisted Living following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's. She was 82. Deep appreciation and thanks to the staff at Autumn Lane for taking such good care of Donna. A Goodbye4Now gathering with the family will be held from 4-8 p.m., Monday, October 19th at Northview - North Mankato Mortuary, 2060 Commerce Drive, North Mankato. Memorials are preferred to the Vernon Center Fire Department or the Mayo Clinic Health System Hospice - Mankato Health Care Foundation. Donna was born in Mankato to Rodney and Mona Anderson. She grew up attending school in St. Peter, MN where she met her first husband, John Eastman. They attended Gustavus Adolphus College and married in 1952. They moved to Iowa while John attended the Seminary and eventually settled in Lewiston, MN where John was a Presbyterian pastor. They had six children: Pamela, Mary, James, Carol, Thomas and John. In November of 1960, John and their six children were killed in a car crash near Lewiston. Donna gave birth to their daughter, Julie, a few months later. Donna returned to finish her college education in Winona and Mankato studying business and writing. She and Julie moved to Vernon Center to live with her parents and her brother, Bill Anderson, on their farm. Donna worked at the State Bank of Vernon Center (now Community Bank) for over 30 years. Until her death, she was frequently recognized as "Donna from the Bank!" In 1976, she married H. Ray Piper. They enjoyed living on the farm in Vernon Center, spoiling their pets and visiting friends and relatives during their travels until Ray's death in 2005. Donna was an avid reader and a talented writer, known for her beautiful, handwritten letters. She enjoyed fishing, gardening, crafts and watching MN pro sports teams despite their many struggles. She also enjoyed politics and watching the debates and news programs. While mostly soft spoken, Donna was a very smart, intuitive person and her insights were usually right! She will be missed. Survivors include her son, Howard (Susan) Piper of Vernon Center, daughters, Julie (Damon Frybarger) Eastman of West St. Paul and Rose (Lyle) Forst of Gibbon, her brother Bill (Gail) Anderson and their children, Tessa and Dane, and lifelong friend, Donna Smith of Minneapolis.