Donna Lehtonen

Donna Lehtonen
Born	1943-08 Thunder Bay, Ontario
Died	2021-03-13 Thunder Bay, Ontario
Occupation	business owner and nurses aid
Mother	Gladys (mother of Donna Lehtonen)
Partner	John Lehtonen (husband of Donna Lehtonen)
Children	Todd Lehtonen Darcy Lehtonen Melinda Lehtonen Wade Lehtonen

Donna Lehtonen (died (2021-03-13)13 March 2021, aged 77) was a Thunder Bay-born business owner and nurses aid who lived in McKenzie and Victoria.

Life and family

Donna Lehtonen was born in August 1943 and raised on the grounds of what is now the Thunder Bay Airport. She was the daughter of Gladys and grew up with her siblings Sydney, Florence, and Gordon. Her father died when she was a young teenager. At the age of seventeen, she moved to McKenzie with her husband John.

She was a versatile worker who helped manage a family contracting business and property portfolio. Her tasks ranged from plumbing repairs and wood splitting to managing a service station and food bar. She later earned a Nurses Aid Training Certificate. Her leisure time was spent volunteering at the McGregor Rec Centre and participating in leagues at the Big M Bowling Alley. She enjoyed swimming in the McKenzie River, playing volleyball at McKenzie School, and traveling to Mexico.

She was predeceased by her infant son Wade and her grandchildren Grant and Sarah. She was survived by her husband John, her children Todd, Darcy, and Melinda, and her daughters-in-law JoAnne and Lori. Her surviving grandchildren included Mitchel, JahVaughn, Cameron, Rachael, and Alex, along with great-grandchildren Benji and Bodhi. She maintained close friendships with Sybil, Susie, Eileen, Pat, and Kim, and was close with her sister Florence and acquaintances Paul, Jenny, Kristine, and Elizabeth. Other family members mentioned included Linda, Robin, Jocelyn, Cesar, Bryttany, and Stew.

Following health challenges, she spent time in Victoria and Armstrong before returning to Thunder Bay. She spent her final years at Hogarth Riverview Manor. She died on March 13, 2021. Arrangements were handled by the Northwest Alternative Non Profit Funeral Home.