Donna Elkins

Donna J. Elkins, 70, Bismarck, passed away on September 4, 2022.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10AM, Friday, September 9, at Ascension Catholic Church, 1825 S. 3^rd St. Bismarck.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7PM, Thursday, September 8, with a vigil/prayer service at 7PM, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck.

Burial will take place in Killdeer, ND.

Donna was born to Joel and Mabel (Vannatta) Mahlen on October 1st, 1951, in Williston, ND . She was the second youngest of six children and was raised in Bainville, MT. Growing up, Donna learned the importance of family and hard work. 

Donna attended high school in Bainville where she graduated in 1970. Shortly after graduation, she completed Beauty College in Williston where she worked until moving to Dickinson. While working in Dickinson, Donna met the love of her life, Gerald (Gib) Elkins. They married April 20, 1974, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bainville, MT. After getting married they lived in Manning, ND, where they loved to spend time with their friends playing cards and attending rodeos on weekends. 

In March of 1977 Donna and Gib were blessed with the birth of their daughter Marshawn (Elkins) Gubbels. In 1980, they purchased their home in Bismarck while also keeping their home in Manning. While living in Bismarck, Donna worked for Pearce and Durick Law Firm as a file clerk and also at the Burleigh County courthouse in the Child Support office. In 2000, Donna and Gib moved to Gillette, WY, where she spent the next 17 years as a Deputy Clerk for Campbell County District Court and developed a love for sewing and quilting.  Donna retired in 2017. In the summer of 2021, they moved back to Bismarck full time. 

Donna was kind yet “told it like it was.”  She had an infectious laugh and a beautiful smile on her face despite whatever health struggles were handed to her.  She loved to play dominoes and tell lots of stories. She loved her grandchildren Hannah and Matt Gubbels greatly and was very proud of them.  She loved to watch their sporting events and any activities they were involved in. Donna became friends with everyone she met. She loved to go quilting with her friends and spending time with her family. Donna’s family and friends meant the world to her.

Donna was a devoted catholic. She attended the Ascension Catholic Church in Bismarck, and the St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Gillette, Wyoming. She was always there to listen and offer advice and prayers for anyone who needed it. 

      Donna is loved and missed by all who had the pleasure to know her especially her husband Gerald (Gib) Elkins; daughter, Marshawn (James) Gubbels; grandchildren, Hannah and Matthew; sibling, JoAnn (Paul) Picard; mother-in-law, Clara Elkins; sisters-in-law, Eileen Mahlen, Melody Vassoff and Earleen (Gary) Friez; brother-in-law, Art (Teryl) Elkins; many nieces; nephews; cousins; and friends.

    She is preceded in death by her parents, Joel and Mabel (Vannatta) Mahlen; still born son; siblings and their spouses, Ralph Mahlen, Arlene (Kennard) Byre, Eunice (Gerald) Neshem, and Joey Mahlen; and father-in-law, Earl Elkins.