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LaDonna E. Discher, 89

Apr 26, 2024

Apply Valley – LaDonna Emma Discher, age 89, of Apple Valley, formerly of Lakeville and Elmore, passed away on April 19, 2024. She was born on July 8, 1934 to Alvin and Melinda (Otte) Sunderman in Clarinda, Iowa. LaDonna grew up on a farm west of Clarinda, attended a one-room school near her home through eighth grade, and graduated from Clarinda High School. After high school, she received an associate’s degree in teaching, and in 1975 completed her bachelor’s degree in education from Mankato State. Through the years she served as a pre-school teacher, substitute teacher, a special education teacher, and worked at several group homes helping people with special needs. LaDonna Sunderman married Norman Discher on July 15, 1956, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Clarinda, Iowa, with Norman’s father, Rev. Walter Discher, officiating. LaDonna and Norman lived in several communities through the years where Norman served as an LCMS Lutheran pastor and LaDonna served as a wife and mother, and worked part-time in various roles. They lived in Blair, Nebraska from 1957-65, in Elmore, from 1965-89, and in rural Annandale from 1989-94. In 1994, they retired to Lakeville and in 2022, LaDonna moved to Apple Valley

LaDonna loved to attend her children and grandchildren’s sporting events as well as Twins games. One year, she and Norman were awarded the Elmore High School Fans of the Year award. And, in her later years she often watched football, basketball, and baseball games on TV. When younger, she enjoyed going golfing, and became quite good at it. Traveling was special to LaDonna and she made it to many parts of the US as well as Germany.

LaDonna loved her family and getting together for gatherings, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. There were often lots of laughs and teasing among her and her siblings at the Sunderman gatherings. She enjoyed gathering with her lady friends for chats over coffee and always enjoyed visiting and being with people.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Rev. Norman Discher; daughter, Sharon Johnston; parents; siblings, LaVern (Jenny) and Darrell Sunderman, Leora (Max) Sunderman, Darleen (Robert) Wilson, and by infant brother, Donald. She is survived by son, Ken (Lori) of Des Moines, Iowa; son, Brian, of Eagan; son-in-law, Jeff Johnston of Farmington; grandchildren, Lee Discher, Bethany (Jonathan) West, Courtney Johnston and Luke Johnston; sister-in-law, Shirley Sunderman; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 26, 2024, at Christ Lutheran Church, 1930 Diffley Rd., Eagan, MN, with a visitation from 9:30-11 a.m. prior to service. Interment, Christ Lutheran Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to The Concordia Lutheran Seminary, St. Louis, MO, and Christ Lutheran Church, Eagan.

Arrangements by the White Funeral Home, Lakeville.