LaDonna Mae Wandersee, age 77, of Buffalo, died on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, at M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, at Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel, Annandale with Rev. Alex Becker officiating. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
LaDonna Mae Nowak was born Dec. 3, 1946, in Winnebago, Minnesota to Paul and Margaret (Dennis) Nowak. She grew up in Winnebago before the family moved to Big Lake. On Halloween of 1963, LaDonna met the love of her life, Frederick “Fritz” Wandersee. She graduated from Monticello High School with the Class of 1965. Later that year, on Oct. 23, she was united in marriage to Fritz at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Delano. They made their home in Buffalo for over 20 years, before moving to South Haven. In 2018, they moved to their current home in Buffalo. LaDonna worked for Airtex in Cokato for 21 years, retiring in 2011.
LaDonna found joy in tending to her garden, creating beautiful crafts, casting a line while fishing, and amassing an impressive collection of unicorns. However, her greatest source of happiness was being surrounded by her beloved family.
LaDonna is survived by her husband of 59 years, Fritz of Buffalo; daughter, Amy (Jeremy) Nissila of Litchfield; daughter-in-law, Sherrie Wandersee; grandchildren, Dustin Hatton, Jacob (Sarah) Hatton, and Alysha Hatton; great-grandchildren, Liam and Tatum Hatton, and Wyatt Nissila; siblings, Gordon, Roger (Mary), Anne, and Carol; and many nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Timothy Wandersee; great-grandchild, Cayden Hatton; and siblings, Louise Miller, Eugene Nowak, Gilbert Gorzaczkowski, and Gloria Perrizo.
The obituary, guestbook, video tribute and service webcast are online at www.dingmannfuneral.com.