Donna Mae Kallman

Donna Mae (Howe) Kallman, 94, of Lakeville, Minnesota, formerly of Austin, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 29, 2026, at The Waters of Kingsley Shores in Lakeville.

Donna was born on March 25, 1932, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Marvin and Alice (Baxell) Howe. She graduated from Minneapolis South High School in 1950, where she met the love of her life, David Kallman. Both were active members of the school band, beginning a partnership that would span more than six decades. On June 22, 1952, Donna and David were united in marriage in Minneapolis. During David's military service and early teaching positions, the couple lived in Germany, East Chain, and Plainview, Minnesota, before settling in Austin, where David accepted the position of band director for Austin Public Schools. Austin became the family’s longtime home, where Donna devoted herself to raising their six children and caring for many others through her licensed in-home daycare business, which she operated from 1981 to 1989. Donna had a gift for nurturing others. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend whose caring nature touched countless lives. She enjoyed sewing and rarely missed an opportunity to attend the activities and events of her children and grandchildren. The Kallmans were faithful members of Grace Baptist Church in Austin. Donna taught Sunday School, participated in AWANA, and found great joy in serving her church community. The couple also enjoyed spending many winters at Siesta Village in Weslaco, Texas. In 2008, they moved to the Village Cooperative of Austin. A natural caregiver, Donna faithfully cared for David throughout his battle with cancer following his diagnosis in 2003 until his passing in 2016. In 2019, she moved to The Waters of Kingsley Shores in Lakeville, where she received compassionate care from the staff and, more recently, from Minnesota Hospice.

Donna is survived by her children, Dorrine (Jeff) Schou of Albert Lea, Minnesota, Daniel (Christine) Kallman of Northfield, Minnesota, Douglas (Kim) Kallman of Danvers, Massachusetts, Dale Kallman of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Deanna (Shawn) Welch of Lakeville, Minnesota, and Dana (Kristine) Kallman of Chaska, Minnesota. She is also survived by ten grandchildren, Katherine (Tyler) Krueger, Brittany (Bjorn) Arneson, Laurel (Christian) Kramar, Nicholas (Hannah) Kallman, Samuel (Isabelle) Kallman, Megan Welch, Emma Welch, Andrew (Keena) Kallman, Benjamin (Anna) Kallman, and Matthew Kallman; seven great-grandchildren, Nolan Krueger, Leif and Sonja Arneson, Jackson Kramar, Finnley and Bowden Kallman, and Oakley Kallman; and her brother, Ronald Howe of Sun City, Arizona.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband and lifelong partner, David Kallman; her brothers, Marvin Howe Jr., Gordon Howe, and Donald Howe; and her parents, Marvin and Alice Howe.

A funeral service for Donna will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home in Austin, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will take place at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes of Austin are assisting the family with arrangements.