Watch Susie's funeral service

Donna Anderson, age 80, of Big Elbow Lake Village, MN, died Saturday, August 14, 2021 at her home surrounded by family and friends.

Donna "Susie" Mae Anderson, the daughter of James and Francis (Fick) Fairbanks, was born October 10, 1940.  Susie was born and raised in the Big Elbow Lake Village. On December 28, 1961, she married Joe Anderson in Mahnomen, MN. They spent one year living in Lincoln, NE, and the remainder of their life together was spent in Elbow Lake Village.

Susie worked several jobs in colluding the sewing factory, the Naytahwaush Headstart, and cooked at the Big Elbow Lake Community Center. She ended her career working 42 years as a Community Health Representative for Elbow Lake. As Rosemarie Losh stated, "she was always smiling and laughing." That was our mom, full of love and fun.

In Susie's younger years she enjoyed fishing, hunting deer and partridge, and always joined in on deer drives. She loved riding around looking at flowers, animals, birds, and sometimes just the beauty of nature, with her son and daughter.  She especially treasured her trips to her grandson, Ryan's to eat whatever he and his mom cheffed up.  She always enjoyed taking fruit and snacks to Debwe and Arrow.  All her children learned cooking skills from their mom.  Susie's specialty was homemade buns and cinnamon rolls, in the fall especially the whole house smelled of fresh bread. At Christmas, her family looked forward to her specialty assorted cookie baskets. Every summer she looked forward to Hope Camp to see family friends and Hope Camp Staff.  Susie loved feeding and watching the birds out her window. She had three dogs whom she adored dearly, as all three sat on the couch beside her, along with her brothers, watching nightly tv.

Donna is survived by one son, James ''Boy" Anderson of Elbow Lake Village; two daughters, Rita (Ron) White of Sugar Point, MN, and LaDonna "Sis" (Jeff Moore) Anderson of Elbow Lake Village; four brothers: David Fairbanks of Surprise, AZ, Eugene and Russell Fairbanks of Big Elbow Lake Village, and Dennis (Linda) Fairbanks of Lake Louise, AL; one sister, Marjorie Erlauer of Port Washington, WI; 12 grandkids; 35 great grandkids, and 22 great-great grandkids.  The family that Donna reunites with is her husband, Alvin (Joe) Anderson Sr.; her son, Alvin (Boog) Anderson, Jr; a grandson, Jay; a granddaughter, Taylor "Weezer"; a great granddaughter, Emily White.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at the Big Elbow Lake picnic shelter area in Elbow Lake Village, rural Waubun, MN. Burial will take place at Vernon Anderson Memorial Cemetery, Elbow Lake Village.

Susie's service will be recorded and available for viewing shortly after the funeral.  Please feel free to sign the guestbook, send condolences and view other opportunities which may be available.