Frances Donovan

Funeral services for Frances “Murph” Margaret Donovan of Albert Lea , MN , will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, August 6, 2010 at St Theodore Catholic Church in Albert Lea. Father James Berning will officiate. Visitation will be held Thursday evening from 4 until 7 PM at Bonnerup Funeral Service, and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in St Aidens Cemetery, Bath Township on Saturday, August 7, 2010.

Frances died peacefully Monday evening at the Albert Lea Medical Center . She was 90 years of age.

Frances was born June 13, 1920 in Oldham , South Dakota , the daughter of Lawrence Edward and Margaret Alice (DeMars) Murphy. She attended country school and graduated from Oldham High School . She worked for many years as a telephone operator in Oldham and as an operator on the Air Force Base Sioux Falls, S.D. After talking with a young soldier overseas while trying to help him make an emergency phone call home, another connection was made; she ended up marrying Leo Donovan in Minneapolis , MN , on November 21, 1946. She also worked for many years at the Wilson Company in Albert Lea , MN , and as a waitress in area restaurants.

Frances lived in Oldham , S.D. Chula Vista , CA, Minneapolis , MN and Hartland MN , before coming to Albert Lea.

She was an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary and an Elks Doe. Frances was also active in the YMCA. Frances and her husband had a strong commitment to the AA and Alanon and touched the lives of many friends.

Frances is survived by her children; Michael (Sue Duncan) Donovan of Sunset Beach, N.C., Robert Donovan of Albert Lea, MN, Tim Donovan of Woodbury, MN, Dan (Chris) Donovan of Albert Lea, MN. Grandchildren include; Beth Ann Donovan, Vance Donovan, Stacia (Scott Waxvik) Donovan, Andrew Donovan and Nathaniel Donovan. There are several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. One brother and one sister survive; Virgil Murphy of Minneapolis, MN, Kathryn Cotter of Colton S.D. and one brother in law; Tom Donovan.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents, husband Leo, son Patrick, grandsons Brad Donovan and Alexander Donovan and granddaughter Angie Donovan. One sister Mary in infancy and one brother Lawrence Murphy.