Donna Toupin, 83, was united with her Lord and Savior on April 14th, 2021.
Donna Eckstein and her twin brother, Dale, were born March 7, 1938 to Otto and Laura (Landman) Eckstein. She was raised in Red Lake Falls, MN along with her siblings. Donna graduated from Red Lake Falls High School in 1956 and was married to Rolland Toupin on April 27, 1957. To this union was born two daughters, Stacy and Lori. After working in various roles with a Thief River Falls radio station, the Red Lake County court house, a medical clinic, and a dental office, Rollie and Donna purchased Toupin’s Chalet in Warren, MN in 1974. They successfully operated the restaurant, bar, lounge, package store and catering business for over 20 years.
Donna’s ministry was customer service. As the hostess, “Mrs. T”, as she was known by most, took great pride in providing a pleasant experience for guests. In her free time, she enjoyed golfing and bowling, which were eventually replaced by countless hours tending to flowers, doing craftwork, canning and scouring her massive cookbook collection for recipes to prepare for their catering business. Sunday evenings and holidays, Rollie and Donna entertained family, “testing” some of the delicacies she discovered, modified, or created.
Rollie and Donna sold the business and retired in 1999. For several years, they continued to serve the community by faithfully delivering the GF Herald to very appreciative Warren residents. Donna was a faithful supporter of Zion Lutheran Church and instrumental in organizing and preparing for the Annual Church Bazaar.
Donna is survived by daughters, Stacy(Mark) Plencner, Sun Lakes, AZ, and Lori (Eric) Johnson, Warren, MN; sister, Mary Weflen, St. Paul, MN; sister-in-law, Shirley LaCoursiere, Thief River Falls, MN; brother, Larry(Jan) Eckstein of Red Lake Falls, MN; grandsons, Joshua (Jessica Berg) Plencner, Oswego, NY, Joseph (Katy) Plencner, Phoenix, AZ, Jordan (Brooke) Johnson, Warren, MN, Justin (Jazmyn) Johnson, Grand Forks, ND ; great-grandchildren, Brynlie, Rowan and Eden Johnson, Boe, Hailey, and Jolene Johnson, and Charles Plencner; along with many nieces and nephews.
Preceding Donna in death were her husband, Rollie, who passed away on January 22, 2021; her parents; sisters, Lorraine, Madeline and Eunice; and brothers, Ken, Ted, and Dale
Memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church of Warren, North Valley Health Center, and the WAO Education Foundation.
GRAVESIDE SERVICE – OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at 11:45 AM, in Greenwood Cemetery in Warren, MN.
PRIVATE FAMILY FUNERAL SERVICE: Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at 11:00 AM, in Zion Lutheran Church LCMS in Warren, MN.
To watch of video of Donna's service, please click the link below:
https://www.facebook.com/165181363494299/videos/148095010582974