Sister Donata Daml

Sister Donata Daml, 81, a Sister of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, died January 27, 2018 at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital, Aberdeen, SD.

The Mass of Resurrection for Sister Donata Daml will be 3:30 p.m., February 1, 2018 in Blessed Sacrament Chapel at Presentation Convent, Aberdeen, SD. Reverend Joseph Sheehan will be celebrant and homilist. The Liturgical Wake service will be Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel with Visitation beginning at 4:15 p.m. Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 S Main Street, is in charge of arrangements.  Internment at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.

Donna Mae Daml was born April 28, 1936 in St. Cloud, MN to Helen (Blommer) and Peter E. Daml.  She graduated from Anoka High School in 1954. Donna entered Presentation Convent and received her religious name of Sister Donata.  She professed vows on August 19, 1957.

Sister Donata earned an Associate Degree from Presentation College, plus a Bachelor of Science in Education (1970) and Master’s Degree in Guidance & Counseling (1990) from Northern State College.  She taught third through eighth grades in Dell Rapids, Huron, Humboldt, Mitchell, Aberdeen, Milbank and Watertown, SD as well as Mound and Anoka, MN for nearly three decades, before working as a recruiter at Presentation College, Aberdeen, SD.

In 1991 she felt called to minister to the Native American students at Presentation College Lakota Campus, Eagle Butte, SD and offered counseling services at the Sacred Heart Center. Sister Donata especially treasured her time on the Cheyenne River Reservation. She ministered   there until 2012 and returned to prayer and volunteer ministry at the Presentation Convent. Her warm friendly smile, generous and humble heart shone brightly in the words she once said, “God is good and can’t be outdone in generosity. I have received much more than I have given.”

Sister Donata is survived by her community family of Presentation Sisters; Her brother William (Helen) Yuma AZ, and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Edward, and sisters Roberta “Ruby” Cimaglia and Mary Ann Hannig.

The Knights of Columbus will serve as active casket bearers.