Donna Rae Pugh

Donna Rae (Swanberg) Pugh, 88, died peacefully in her home on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 surrounded by her four children and her beloved dog, Kota. Donna Rae was born to Harris and Laura Swanberg on October 24, 1926 in Wadena, MN. She spent her childhood and early adult years living in various parts of the U.S., Sweden, Brussels and England. She attended Carleton College in Northfield, MN for a year before enrolling in a dog obedience training and grooming college in Sweden. Donna Rae’s numerous hobbies included pistol and target shooting, deer, elk, and pheasant hunting, show jumping horses, bicycling, skiing, swimming, track and field events, and she was highly competitive in all. Always the athlete, she competed in her final triathlon at the age of 75. A professional dog breeder, groomer and trainer, she handled dogs in field trials and dog shows, and also fostered and adopted out hundreds of dogs throughout her life. There was not a time in the past 80 years that Donna Rae did not have at least one dog by her side. She also was an avid knitter and co-owned the Swedish Knit Shop in Golden, Colorado with her sister prior to moving to Alexandria in 1985. Donna Rae was preceded in death by her husband of forty-five years, Charles (Chuck) E. Pugh. She managed to excel at all of these activities while being a great cook and wife to Chuck. The two inspired one another and became well known in the Alexandria community for their volunteerism and philanthropic support of many non-profit organizations. A wonderful match, Chuck had a gentle, cerebral approach. Donna Rae had great zeal and Swedish tenacity and even taught her grandchildren to do cartwheels. She is survived by her four children, Richard Beaumont, Christine Beaumont (Mike Paulick), Kendra Dane (Eric Zimmerman) and Laurie Bridwell, three grandchildren: Heather Schneider (Craig), Courtney Bondi (Jim) and Erik Zecevich, four great-grandchildren: Cody and Halle Schneider and Mia and Sadie Bondi, and her loving and loyal friend, Jackson Berglund, who assisted her with her many hobbies and home projects during the past 15 years. Honored with a “Woman of the Year” award and banquet by the Girl Scouts of America (Minnesota chapter) Donna Rae impacted people of all ages. Her passions included: Volunteer work with Listening Ear, Bethany Manor retirement home, the Literacy Project, arts organizations, Lakes Area Recreation Center, YMCA, Lakes Area Humane Society in Alexandria, and horse rescue in Colorado. As a “dog whisperer,” she taught weekly obedience classes for over 15 years, to hundreds of attentive dogs and their owners, donating all registration fees to support the Humane Society and Lakes Area Recreation Center. In addition, she taught Swedish, and was an avid fitness advocate, competing in events well into her late 70’s, including the Senior Olympics where she took a gold medal in the Women’s Long Jump event. Donna Rae was a loyal friend with a quick wit, relentless energy and tremendous physical stamina. She possessed strong convictions. She will be greatly missed by friends, family, neighbors and the Alexandria community she loved and served. A memorial service will be held for Donna Rae at Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria on Saturday, May 23, 2015, 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Knute Nelson Hospice, 1910 Aga Drive, Suite 100, Alexandria, MN 56308. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria, MN. www.andersonfuneral.net

Donna Rae Pugh

October 24, 1926 - May 19, 2015