Annette Donovan

Annette Donovan, age 85, of Litchfield, died early Monday morning, January 23, 2017. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, January 30, 2017, at St. John's Catholic Church in Darwin. Visitation will be held from 2:00 PM until 5:00 PM on Sunday, January 29th at the church with a parish prayer service at 5:00 PM. Interment will be at St. John's Catholic Cemetery following the funeral mass with a luncheon at the church afterwards. Annette Aitchison, the daughter of Lisle and Ida Mary (Schultz) Aitchison, was born on October 13, 1931, in Albert Lea, MN. Annette graduated from Albert Lea High School. She received her degree from the University of Minnesota in Healthcare Technology. On September 6, 1952, Annette was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart and love of her life, John 'Jack' Donovan, Jr. in Albert Lea. The couple lived on various military bases during Jack's service as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. After discharge, the couple and their ever-expanding family lived in Chicago, Louisville and Oklahoma City and eventually settled in the Twin Cities in 1975. When Jack retired, they moved out to Lake Washington where they were active members of St. John's Catholic Church in Darwin. They enjoyed living on the lake property the family owned for decades. After Jack passed in 1996, Annette moved to Litchfield. She was a Eucharistic Minister at St. Philip's Catholic Church. Her gift of time that she poured her heart into was when she ministered to the homebound at Lincoln Apartments. She volunteered for many years at Meeker Memorial Hospital and the Litchfield Women's CommUnity Club. Annette will be remembered as a social person who loved to spend time with family and friends, and she was always the life of the party. She enjoyed playing golf and bridge. The three ""f's"" are what she cherished the most; faith, family, and friends. Annette is survived by her children, Mary Ann (and Doug) Wanker of Brighton, CO, Kathleen (and Randy) Miller of Minnetonka, Michael (and Elizabeth) Donovan of Grosse Pointe, MI, John (and Alicia) Donovan of Glen Ellyn, IL, Thomas (and Carole) Donovan of Franklin, WI, Jane (and Rev. Richard) Andrews of St. Paul, James (and Laura) Donovan of Hermantown, MN; grandchildren Tim (and Jamie) Wanker, Joe Wanker, Jack and Annie Miller, Erin and Mitchell Donovan, Jack and Tommy Donovan, Patrick and Katherine Donovan, Teddy Andrews, Megan and Kelly Donovan. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Jack, son Timothy and sisters Amy McKey, Ardith Thompson, Alice Ryan, and Alleen Morley. Memorials preferred to Smile Train or American Lung Association. Previous Events Visitation Sunday, January 29, 2017 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM St. John's Catholic Church 106 North 4th Street Darwin, MN 55324 Visitation Monday, January 30, 2017 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM St. John's Catholic Church 106 North 4th Street Darwin, MN 55324 Visitation Monday, January 30, 2017 11:45 AM St. John's Catholic Cemetery 106 North 4th Street Darwin, MN 55324