Donna Gallo

Donna Jean Gallo, 93, died June 30, 2026 in North Mankato.  Private family services will be held.  Interment will be at Woodland Hills Memorial Park.

Donna was born on November 11, 1932, in Springfield, MN, to Roy and Martha Minnick. She married Joseph Gallo on February 14, 1990, in Escondido, CA. Throughout her life, Donna was a dedicated homemaker, worked at Litton Factory, and served as a hospice volunteer. She was an active member of the YWCA and Sam’s Club (lol), and she enjoyed a variety of hobbies including writing, fishing, traveling, bridge club, archery, deer hunting, swimming, and capturing special moments through her photography and her albums meant the world to her.

Donna’s love and trust in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ throughout her lifetime gave her the strength and comfort to endure and accept whatever came her way.  Donna conveyed the love she had for her family, friends, and life itself in the many ways throughout her home. The countless photos of family and friends on display and the many notes and writings Donna wrote to herself and others throughout her lifetime was an expression of who Donna was, what interested her, and the love Donna felt and carried in her heart and mind. Donna’s physical presence will be deeply missed by all who knew her, but her spirit will be felt in every photo and every family gathering until we meet again.

She is survived by her daughter, Debra Wharton; her grandchildren, Chris and Sheila Larson, Julie Larson, Michael Hill, Chantel Perez, Lisa Fernelius and Family, Ron Hill, Jim Hill; and her great-grandchildren, Mykenzie Broadland and Connor Tschakert, Isiah, Joe, Jace, and Jalen Hill, Dawsyn, Davyn Larson, Dylan Charles and her great-great grandchild, Ledger Tschakert. She also leaves behind a niece Vicky Fiegener, nephews Chuck Lehrke and Timothy Karch (TK), 5 great-nieces and a great nephew; and 8 great-great nieces and nephews; and 9 great-great-great nieces and nephews.  The family would like to thank her caregivers Vicky Fiegener and Nycole Rutjes for all you did.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joe Gallo; her ex-husband, Arthur Hill; her sisters, Peggy Lehrke and Linda Pickering; her brother, Ron Minnick; her sons, Raymond, and Bruce Hill; and her niece, Cindy Karch.