Madonna Hysjullien
June 8, 1929-Aug. 1, 2021
Madonna Mary (Spain)
Hysjullien, 92, died in her
home surrounded by her
loving family on August 1,
2021. Donna was born to
her parents Robert and
Edna Spain on June 8th,
1929. She graduated from
St Leo’s High school in
Minot, North Dakota and
went on to receive her ele-
mentary education degree
from Minot State Teach-
ers College. It was there
she met the love of her
life Wayne Francis Hysju-
lien. They shared a love of
music and math and each
other’s company for the
next 70 years.
After a few years in Up-
sala, Minnesota where
Wayne (Hysh) taught high
school math, they moved
to Hibbing where they
have lived and thrived for
the last 60 plus years. In
addition to mothering
their seven children, Don-
na founded and led the
Hibbing Parents Nursery
School for 22 years. A
gifted seamstress, Donna
designed and sewed cos-
tumes for productions at
Hibbing High School as
well as the local commun-ity theater. Her beautiful
quilts and sweaters are
family treasures. She also
assisted her husband with
Math Team activities as
part of his Hibbing High
School teaching duties.
Donna was active in
civic activities. She was
the current president of
the Hibbing branch of the
General Federation of
Women, an organization
which provides many im-
portant community ser-
vices and about which she
was passionate. She and
Hysh were avid support-
ers of HHS sports teams,
delivered Meals on
Wheels, and won the
Lion’s Club award for out-
standing community ser-
vice. Donna was always
active in the Blessed Sa-
crament Catholic Church,
singing in the church
choir and other activities.
Her faith was inspiration-
al – she was always ready
with prayers for all.
As the mother of a large
family, Donna’s focus was
always on being a loving,
involved and positive
force in their lives. She
never failed to remember
a birthday or anniversary
as her family grew ex-
ponentially through the
years. For the last 10
years, in honor of family
members lost to cancer,
Donna hosted the R-cubed
triathlon/concert
fund-raiser for the Angel
Fund which supports
cancer patients in north-
ern Minnesota.
Donna is preceded in
death by her parents,
Robert and Edna Spain,
her brother Bobby Spain,
her daughter Roxane Hys-
julien Demillo and her
husband Mark DeMillo,
her son Jamie Hysjulien
and her grandson Aane
Dove.
She is survived by her
husband Wayne Hysju-
lien, her sister Linda
Spain (Michael Ingram),
her children: Robert Kim
Hysjulien (Laura), Rebec-
ca Dove (Robert) , Chery
Hysjulien (Randy Hed-
berg), Niki Hysjulien (Tim
Johnson), Holly Hysjulien
(Lori Gustafson), her
daughter-in-law Nikki
Vangsnes, 18 grandchil-
dren, 32 great grandchil-
dren (more on the way),
and two nephews. She
will be thoroughly
mourned and seriously
missed by all who knew
her.
Donna Hysjulien, by
her nature, lived a life of
acceptance, love and faith
that impacted and in-
spired every life she
touched.
Funeral services for
Donna will be 11:00 am,
Friday, August 6, 2021 at
Blessed Sacrament
Catholic Church of Hib-
bing. The Rev. Fr. Trevor
Peterson will celebrate the
Mass of Christian Burial.
Visitation will be one
hour prior to the funeral
Mass at the church on Fri-
day. Interment will be in
Maple Hill Cemetery of
Hibbing. Arrangements
are with the Dougherty
Funeral Home of Hibbing.
Memorial Contribu-
tions: please support the
Angel Fund. Donations
may be made through
www.hysjulien.com
To leave an online mes-
sage of condolence, please
visit us at;
www.doughertyof
hibbing.com.