Donna Kalka, 90, of Drayton, North Dakota passed away at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks on Friday evening, October 18, 2019. Donna Menzies was born on March 11, 1929, the daughter of Elmer and Ruby (Somers) Menzies of the Pratford district near Hamilton, North Dakota. She grew up there with her family and attended rural school, later graduating from Bowesmont High School in Bowesmont, North Dakota. After attending Mayville State Teachers College, she taught in rural schools in Pembina County, North Dakota. She married Chester Kalka of Bowesmont where they lived and farmed for nearly 60 years. They were the parents of five children; Greg (Shari) Kalka, Drayton, Brad Kalka, Paul (Yvonne) Kalka, Grand Forks, ND, Cheryl (Scott) Carey, Moorhead, MN and Kathy (Greg) Gamez, San Diego, CA; 12 granchildren, Megan Kalka, Danielle (Dale) Arnold, Kristen Kalka, Ross Kalka, Taryn Kalka, Chace Kalka, Lauren (Nick) Mertens, Jameson Berg, Kaylyn (Brad) Kresky, Garrett Gamez, Amanda (Joel) Braxton, Joe (Hannah) Kalka and seven great grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Kalka, Grand Forks and Mary Kalka, Ilion, NY; as well as nieces and nephews. Donna was preceded in death by her husband; parents; a daughter-in-law, Marcia Kalka and siblings, Patricia Mahlman, Janet Becklund and Arnold Menzies.
Funeral services were scheduled for Wednesday, October 23, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Edward’s Catholic Church, Drayton. Interment will be in St. Edward’s Cemetery. Visitation was held at the church for one hour prior to the service. Fr. Robert Wapenski, presiding; Amanda Braxton, soloist and Sally Kliniske, organist. Honorary pall bearers will be Donna’s grandchildren and great grandchildren. Austin Funeral Chapel, Drayton.