Donna Kothe

Donna Mae Shierk was born in Milaca, Minnesota, a small town north of Minneapolis and the county seat of Mille Lacs County, Minnesota. She doesn’t have many memories of her life there because as a young child, her family moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota when her father was discharged from the Army. Donna lived three blocks from the Big Sioux River and has many fond memories of fishing with her family and playing in the great outdoors. She always loved music, and a favorite show in the early days of black and white TV was a 15-minute program, Eddie Fischer, sponsored by Coca-Cola! To this day she still enjoys music and dancing! As a young child, Donna also loved drawing for both fashion and art.

Donna was an outgoing child, but high school was different. She was a shy student, one of 600 students in her graduating class. But, always a lover of the arts, you could find Donna leading the band as a majorette, singing in the choir, and taking part in drama activities.

Donna has many jobs, and she loved each one.  As a high school student, she went to cosmetology school in the summer and on weekends.  Her dream was to become a social worker or a teacher.  She worked as a stylist in Sioux Falls, then managed the Accent Hair Salon before moving to Custer with her husband Bob. She was a stay-at-home mom for the most part until they decided to become the owners of Custer County Insurance. She worked together with Bob for ten years.

Donna is proud of the time she spent doing hair for the residents of our community and nursing home.  She enjoyed the summers that she spent working at Sylvan Lake Resort.  Another summer job she enjoyed was as a day manager in the gift shop at Dakota Cowboy and later as a hostess. While vacationing in South Texas she was a reading mentor with Hispanic Children for thirteen years.  If you ask Donna, she will tell you her absolute favorite job is substituting in the Custer School District.

The town of Custer was fortunate that Donna chose it to be her home. And the school has benefited from her willingness to be a substitute teacher at Custer School District for 18 years and counting!

Donna has a son who lives in Custer and a daughter in Arizona. She has also been blessed with three grandchildren. She lives life with a positive outlook and a sunny attitude!