Donna Clausen, 1943-2022
Obituaries-Mobridge / Posted Mar 4, 2022 | 9:58 AM / 765 views
Funeral services for Donna Clausen, 78, of Eagle Butte will be held on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Eagle Butte, SD at 11:00 AM. Donna passed away Saturday, February 26, 2022, at IHS Hospital in Eagle Butte. Visitation will be held at the church on Monday, March 7 at 5:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. Interment under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge will be at the Eagle Butte Cemetery.
Donna Hope (Bowker) Clausen was born on June 21, 1943 at Old Agency on Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. Donna was born the 4th child of 5 children of Henry & Gatsy (Raven) Bowker.
Donna Hope as most called her in her grade school and high school years of schooling at the Old Agency until it was moved up to Eagle Butte and graduated from CEB High School.
1960 Donna participated in the Miss Indian American contest in Sheridan, WY and won Miss congeniality. Donna Hope was 17 years old.
On March 30, 1963, Donna married her Love, Eugene “Gus” Clausen. After their marriage they lived a short while in Dupree SD until they settled permanently in Eagle SD making it their home until her passing. To this Union two children were born a son, Troy Dean Clausen and a daughter Evvi LaDean Clausen.
Donnas favorite hobbies and past time favorites were spending time caring, nurturing, and loving her children as they grew up. She followed them as they participated in rodeo events in the summertime. She enjoyed time being with close friends and family travelling to various events attending rodeo functions, horse racing events, and visiting with family in and out of state being there for them when she was needed. In her spare time Donna enjoyed knitting, artwork, beading, leatherwork and sewing. Donna was artistic and her handwriting was very beautiful in cursive. No matter what she did it was easy for her to learn and grab the concept of the project no matter what it was.
Donna was known to many on the entire reservation as Mom Auntie and Grandma. Everyone who entered the Store at Mni Mart could find Donna sitting in her spot at the store she was greeted by all who entered. She was the kindest person with a big heart but guaranteed if an ass chewing was needed by golly she would let you have it and all the wanna be gangsters she’d yell and tell them to pull your damn pants up and act right or you were not allowed back into the store. Donna was a very compassionate, loving, caring, strong and involved with her business, family, children and grandchildren all her family she loved with all her heart. Donna loved traveling and being with friends and was one lucky person who could just walk into a casino and win just like that luck was on her side when it came to gambling. Everyone has a story or two to tell and share about their adventures with Donna there was never a dull moment in her life. She was a fistful of life and she made everything interesting.
Donna is survived by her son, Troy, daughter, Evvi (Steve), grandsons, Devin (Bree), Clay (Keysha) and Weston, great grandchildren, Asher and Brixlie Hope, brother, Hank (Carol) Bowker and numerous nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Gus Clausen, brothers, Coke (Rechinda) and Rocky and sister, Gloria.