Mary Lou Donner, age 80, of Detroit Lakes, formerly of Mahnomen and Waubun, MN, died Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at Essentia Health-Oak Crossing in Detroit Lakes, MN.

Mary Lou was born October 30, 1930 on the family farm near Callaway to George Sr. and Ruby (Hammer) Scherzer. As a youngster, she attended country school and confirmed her faith at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Callaway. Mary Lou then went to school in Waubun, MN graduating with the class of 1950. On March 10, 1951 Mary Lou was united in marriage to Paul I. Donner at the Scherzer farm. The couple made their home in Popple Grove Township and operated a dairy farm together for many years. Mary Lou kept very busy raising her family, cooking and baking, helping with the chickens, and tending her large gardens. After Paul's death in 1982, she remained on the farm until 1988 at which time she moved to a nearby house on the Schroeder place. Mary Lou later returned to her farm and remained there until the mid 2000's when she moved into the Evergreen Apartments in Waubun. Since 2008, Mary Lou had made her home in Detroit Lakes.

Mary Lou enjoyed working in her garden and loved flowers. She was often cooking or baking and always had treats around the house for visitors. She was also active with the homemakers group. In her quiet time, Mary Lou enjoyed reading and chatting with friends. Mary Lou had a strong faith and was active with the Ladies Aide and as a Sunday school teacher at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ogema. She was currently a member of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Callaway. Most of all, she loved her family and cherished the time she was able to spend with her own grandchildren over the years. The precious memories they made will be treasured forever.

Mary Lou is survived by three sons: Paul (Olga) of Moorhead, MN, Bill (Juel) of Mahnomen, and Randy (Deb Mangrum) of Roseville, MN; one daughter, Deb (Charlie) Pazdernik of Waubun; five brothers: George (Carol) Scherzer of Detroit Lakes, Charles (Barb) Scherzer of Detroit Lakes, Robert Scherzer of Callaway, MN, Howard (Merry Pat) Scherzer of Coon Rapids, MN, and David (Pat) Scherzer of Moorhead; two sisters, Marlene Oppegaard of Moorhead and Donna (Larry) Donner of Detroit Lakes; 10 grandchildren: Paul "Ryan" Donner, Peter (Terri) Pazdernik, Daniel Pazdernik, Thomas (Rebekah) Donner, Timothy Pazdernik, Karl Donner, Andrew Donner, Katrina Donner, Rachel Pazdernik, and Kristopher Donner; and one great-grandson, Benjamin Pazdernik.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Ruby; her husband, Paul; one brother, Frank; one sister, Peggy; and a grandson, Eric Donner.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, October 22, 2011 at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Callaway, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral on Saturday.

Interment will take place at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery in Mahnomen.