Service Schedule

Visitation
Visitation will be held at Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home Chapel in Williston, ND on Sunday, November 7th, 2021 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm and an hour prior to the service time at the church.

Service
A friends and family service will be held on Sunday, November 7th, 2021 at 5:00 pm at the Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home Chapel in Williston, ND.

Donna’s Funeral Service will be held on Monday, November 8th, 2021 at 11:00 am at the United Lutheran Church in Zahl, ND. Pastor Josh Parris will be officiating.

The Funeral Service will be broadcast directly on this page.

Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Williston, ND is assisting the family.

Graveside Service
Donna will be laid to rest in the Bethel Cemetery in Zahl, ND.

Donna Anfinson
November 24, 1944 - November 3, 2021

Place of Birth: Williston, North Dakota
Residence: Williston, ND formerly of Zahl, ND
Age: 76

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Donna Anfinson, 76, of Zahl, North Dakota, passed away on Wednesday, November 3, 2021 surrounded by her family at the Bethel Lutheran Nursing Rehabilitation Center in Williston, ND.

Donna (Knutson) Anfinson was born November 24, 1944 to Alvin and Anne (Kittelson) Knutson in Williston, ND. She was raised on a farm near Appam, ND and attended grade school there. She graduated from Alamo High School with the Class of 1962. Donna received her BS in Home Economics Education from NDSU in 1966 and a BA in Elementary Education from Minot State University in 1988. She received a MA in Education from Chapman University in 1970.

Donna taught Home Economics in Dos Palos, CA before returning to ND to marry her husband, Edward Anfinson, on July 13, 1968 in Zahl, ND. She loved living on the farm where she took an active part while raising two boys, teaching Sunday School, being a Lay Catechist, 4-H leader, English as a Second Language teacher to refugees from Hungary, Poland, and Czechoslovakia, and teaching in Grenora and School District #8 for over twenty-five years. She especially loved teaching her second grade students and later created special memories teaching her own grandchildren how to cook and bake in her farm kitchen.

Ed and Donna loved to read, travel and visit with friends. They spent several winter months enjoying the sunshine in Surprise, Arizona.

Surviving Donna are her husband, Edward Anfinson, of Zahl, ND; her sister, Orlyn (Ralph) Crawford of Northridge, CA; her two sons, John (Nancy) Anfinson and David (Teresa) Anfinson of Williston, ND and four grandchildren, Michael, Rachel, Shawn and Carter Anfinson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Anne and Alvin Knutson and her precious grandson, Jaden Anfinson.

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Vernon & Jan Herfindahl (Tioga)
Nov 3, 2021

I am saddened to read this, but after visiting Donna at Bethel, I know she is at a much better place. We have remained great friends ever since I met her in a dorm at MSU. (many fun memories - we played beside working hard at our studies) Donna and I ended up teaching at the same time at Stony Creek School. (there she taught me the workings of a computer). Donna was a fun and generous lady. (when I set up an apartment in Watford City, Ed and she were just moving out of a condo in Williston so she gifted me many furnishing for my apartment. A Heart of Gold has stopped, and Vernon and I extend our sincere sympathy to Ed, John, David and families. ((Hugs))

Susan Jorgenson (Williston, ND)
Nov 3, 2021

Wife, mother and grandmother, Donna is free to be! Bless those memories and blessings on each of you ,dear family. Hugs.

Peggy Slough (Williston, ND)
Nov 3, 2021

To Donna’s family
You are in my thoughts and prayers
This lovely lady was such a wonderful teacher to my 3 youngest children and a memory maker for the families of her students

Duane and Kathy Binde (Williston , ND)
Nov 3, 2021

Donna was an amazing teacher, wife, mom, and homemaker! She touched many lives with her gifts of joy and was always a bright light at get togethers. God bless, our prayers surround you. Definitely a life well lived. Love, Bindes

Patti Arp (Williston, Nd)
Nov 3, 2021

David and family, I'm so sorry to hear of your mother's passing. This is so tough David, hugs sent to you.

Eberle Mick (Williston , Nd)
Nov 4, 2021

Ed, John, David and family,
Mrs. Anfinson was much more than a wonder teacher, she was a super friend.
I always enjoyed our visits ( not to mention the HUGS!)
Our prayers to you, neighbor’s.
Mick

Karen Ring Sillerud (Dickinson)
Nov 4, 2021

I was saddened to read of Donna’s passing.
Remembering the fun times we had with Donna at June and Victor’s house. June would call that she was there and off to visit we were. She had a great sense of humor. I can still hear her giggle.
My sympathy to her family. Rest in peace Donna.

Bob and Naomi Rusdal (Forsyth, Mt)
Nov 4, 2021

Our Sympathy to Donnas Family
She was a good friend through high school

Had a gift of gab we spent out last reunion in her Car visiting and watching and watching the parade.
With much Sympathy Naomi and Bob Rudal

Swany (Hought)Schmidt. (Watford city, ND)
Nov 4, 2021

So very sorry to learn of your wife's passing Ed. Don and I send our sympathy and prayers to you and your family

Mary Beth (Longtin) Timian (Bismarck, ND)
Nov 4, 2021

Sincere sympathy to Ed, John, David and families. May you find comfort in your memories of Donna. May she rest in peace.

Jean Berger (Mesa, AZ)
Nov 5, 2021

What a beautiful picture of Donna. She was beautiful inside and out. I have so many memories of teaching with her in District 8. She was such a kind and dedicated teacher and she worked hard to instill a love of learning in each of her students. So smart, so organized, so good at everything she did. Ed, John, David, I know how much she loved you and your families and how proud she was of all of you. She will be greatly missed.

Mitch Oyen (Rochester, Minnesota)
Nov 6, 2021

Growing up I was witness and party to what could generously be described as questionable decision making, or what Donna might call boys being boys. Through it all Donna was always calm, composed and just concerned that we survived. The chaos was usually followed by treats and laughter. She was kind, caring and one of the most articulate people I have ever met. She will be missed. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Ron and Corinne Dullum (Vancouver, WA)
Nov 7, 2021

Ron will miss the annual talks they had on their (almost) shared birthdays.
Our condolences to Donna’s family.

Jennifer Vallevik (Williston, ND)
Nov 8, 2021

So sad to hear this news. Mrs. Anfinson was one of my favorite teachers. I remember her wrangling garter snakes into the garbage can in first grade that had got into our classroom. It was an old stone school house ( Twin Lakes). I also remember doing fractions with apples and our balloon buddy that would float around the room. She was such a loving and caring person. She will be missed. Thoughts and prayers for the family.

Gail (Blacktail Dam, ND)
Nov 8, 2021

I was saddened to read of Donna’s passing, Paul and I always enjoyed visiting with Donna and Ed. You are all in my prayers.

Amanda Morris (Williamsburg, VA)
Nov 10, 2021

Mrs. Anfinson was my 2nd grade teacher at Stoney Creek and at 34-years-old with two college degrees, I can still say she was the BEST teacher I ever had! She went out of her way to show me kindness and put in extra hours after school to be a friend and mentor. She even showed up to my high school graduation. I hope she knew just how much of an impact she had on my life. We stayed in touch over the years through Facebook and I made sure she was the first to know I graduated with a Masters in Teaching so I could teach just like her. She was a role model and I shining light in my life and I am so sad to hear that she is gone. My love and prayers go out to her family. Xoxo

Lance J Oyen (Rochester, MN)
Nov 10, 2021

Donna was a shepherd to our lives with John, David, Mitch and I. She was important for my entire family. She (and Ed) shared paths with our parents, referred to us as "Cous" for cousins, but really more as a shepherd. Kind, caring, teaching, and asking what we thought - even if we had little to offer. With great gratitude and respect, my thoughts for her family in your loss.

Patti Arp (Williston, Nd)
Nov 12, 2021

David and family, I'm so sorry to hear of your mother's passing. This is so tough David, hugs sent to you.

Duane Jorstad (Queen Creek, AZ)
Dec 27, 2021

Ed, John and David,
Our hearts go out to you. Our prayers are with you.
May the Lord keep you and comfort you.

Duane and Lori Jorstad

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