Donna (Brink) Peterson

Donna (Brink) Peterson, age 91, of Canton, Minn., passed away peacefully on October 15, 2025, at the Harmony Care Center.

Donna was born on June 15, 1934, in Austin, Minn., the daughter of Joseph and Hazel Mlenar. She attended Austin country and  public schools. On January 13, 1953, she married William R. Brink in Wykoff, Minn. They made their home in Preston, Minn., where they were raising their three sons Rick, Donny and David. Her husband William (Bill) died at the age of 35 from a work-related accident. On June 8, 1968, she married Kenneth S. Peterson, a widower with seven children.  Donna then moved to the Peterson farm in Lanesboro where she and Kenny began to raise their 10 children together.  They left the farm in 1975, moving to Houston, Minn., then shortly after making Canton, Minn., their home. There Donna babysat for local families for many years.

Donna enjoyed her friends, dancing, trips to Vegas, and Willie Nelson music. Her greatest joy were all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to whom she would always say “I Love You.”

Donna is survived by her sons Richard Brink of Canton, Minn., Donald (Jean) Brink of Lanesboro, Minn., and David (Debbie) Brink of Rushford, Minn.; stepchildren Geraldine (Mike) Warner of Plymouth, Minn., Patricia Haugen of Roberts, Wis., Cindy Sabatoni of Reno, Nev., Jim (Kim Wagner) Peterson of Canton, Minn., Julie (Paul) McKernan of Rochester, Minn., and Tom (Charlene Draper) Peterson of Kasson, Minn.; 20 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, a brother, Don (Shirley) Mlenar of Spring Valley, Minn.; and a sister-in-law, Janis Mlenar of Spring Valley, Minn. 

She is preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Hazel Mlenar, first husband William Brink, second husband Kenneth Peterson, brother Herb Mlenar, stepdaughter Mary Lou Kaiser, stepgrandson David DeSerre, and stepdaughter-in-law Karen Peterson.

Memorial service will be 2 p.m., Saturday, November 1 at the Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. 

The Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel is assisting with arrangements.