Donna Lynn Kelley, 55, passed away on Friday, July 13, 2018, in Austin, Minnesota, after her abrupt battle with cancer.

Donna was born Sept. 14, 1962, in Chincoteague, Virginia, to Robert and Joyce (Marshall) Matson. The family moved to Northfield, Minnesota, when Donna was three years old. Donna earned her GED from Northfield High School and went on to obtain her CNA license. She was a passionate, caring, genuine, hard-working nursing assistant with the geriatric community for over 20 years with. She worked at nursing homes, assisted living, and home healthcare in Northfield, Owatonna, Minnesota, and Austin. Donna’s children were fathered by Gregory Valek. Greg passed away when their daughters were very young. When Donna passed, she was widowed to her late husband Robert Kelley, who died in 2017.

Donna was always the center of attention. She was a “girly girl” who loved dressing up, styling her hair and taking baths. Donna was also a “handy woman,” self-sufficient and independent. She loved to decorate, remodel and work on projects in the yard. When visiting her, she would proudly tell you how she had built all her projects herself. Donna was witty, street smart, down to earth and had a great sense of humor. She always worked and was consistent and reliable with her job. Donna was very detail-oriented and loved to stay busy. Her hobbies were knitting, crocheting, gardening, swimming and singing. She had a soft heart for animals, especially horses. She was a very affectionate mother and sister. She always told her girls how much she loved them. She will be dearly missed.

She is survived by her daughters, Jasmine Miller of Floyd, Virginia, and Stephanie Valek of Minneapolis; four grandchildren, Diego, Keenan, Sequioa and Aisha; sisters, Lisa (Ross) Fisher of Northfield, Barbara Kniefel of Cannon Falls, Minnesota, and Carmin Egeland of Northfield; step-mother, Judy (Rezac) Matson of Dundas, Minnesota; nephews and nieces. Donna was preceded in death by her parents; and husband, Bobby Kelley.

A celebration of life will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, July 27, 2018, with a prayer service beginning at 6:30 p.m., at Bierman Funeral Home in Northfield.  Arrangements are with Bierman Funeral Home.