Donna R. Berner's Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Donna Rae Berner, age 81 of Charleston and formerly of Stillwater, MN, left her earthly home while in the comforting presence of her family on Saturday, November 7, 2015 while at her Lakewood Village residence. There will be no public services. It is requested that thoughtful donations in her honor be made to the Bondurant Community Library or to the Stillwater Chapter of P.E.O. Gifts may be mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920. Donna was born September 2, 1934 in Des Moines, IA and was a daughter of the late Clarence and Hazelle (Trussel) Oleson. She is survived by her children, Deborah Read and husband Randy of Sugarland, TX, Clay Berner and wife Krista of Ashmore, IL, Christopher Berner of WI, and Amy Neal of Charleston; 9 grandchildren, Damon (Savannah) Read and Angela Jaggers all of Sugarland, Kelsey (Kyley) Willison of Oakland, IL, Brittany (Rob) Myerscough and Ashley Berner all of Charleston, Ian Berner of TX, Alyssa Berner of IN, Michael Neal and Madeline Neal both of Charleston; 10 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Robert (Shirley) Oleson of Tifton, OH. She was preceded by a son, David Berner and a brother, Jim Oleson. Donna's thirst for knowledge motivated her to become a well educated woman. She earned a Bachelors Degree from Drake University as well as the University of Wisconsin at River Falls and attained her Master's Degree from Webster College in St. Louis, MO. Donna was retired from the St. Croix County Court System in Stillwater, MN where she was employed as a clinical psychologist. When living in Minnesota Donna attended the Presbyterian Church and was a 50 plus year member of P.E.O. She was always an avid reader, a lover of theater and the arts, and enjoyed traveling throughout the United States. Her love for children was a great asset in her position with the court systems as she was their strongest advocate. Donna was blessed with many devoted friends and colleagues as well as a loving family who will dearly miss her.
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