Donna M. Jilek

Donna’s service will be livestreamed below starting at 2:00 PM Friday May 5, 2023

Surrounded by the love, prayers, and presence of family through her final days, Donna met the savior on the evening of Friday April 28, 2023 while under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley. Blessed be her memory.

Donna was born on August 17, 1950 in Dickinson, ND to Vincent and Victoria (Pavlicek) Praus. She graduated from Taylor High School in 1969. She also participated in Miss Dickinson Pageant in 1970 and 1971 and was second runner up in 1970. On June 29th, 1971 she married Robert Jilek in Richardton, ND and welcomed 3 children; Shawn, Jolene, and Justin. Donna grew up and lived in numerous places including Dickinson, Halliday, and Taylor, ND. Donna lived in Bismarck for a year while she received her stylist license. She married Robert in June of 1971 where they lived in Dickinson for a short time then farmed the land in Raleigh for over four years before moving back to Dickinson. They moved to Fargo in 1988 where they resided since.

Donna also worked in numerous positions including numerous schools in the areas she lived, Jack’s family restaurant, Woolworth’s department store and did side sales for Park Lane jewelry and Tupperware. Her greatest job was being a mother to her three kids and continued to be for her grandchildren.

Donna had many hobbies she liked to do including, reading, studying the bible, singing, dancing, planting, gardening, canning, cooking, and baking. She also loved to attended sporting events and playing at the park with her grandchildren. Her favorite food was chicken with all the fixings.

Donna is survived by her children, Shawn (Gretchen) Jilek of Moorhead, MN; Jolene (Duane) Sells of Broken Arrow, OK, Justin Jilek of Fargo, ND; five beloved grandchildren, Taylor Sells, Duane Sells, Demetre Jilek, Twilia Jilek, and Landon Jilek; one great- grandchild, Samuel Sells; one step-grandchild, Bradley Craft; seven brothers, David (Kathy), Jay (Vickie), Leo (Janice), Ken (Marla), Gilbert (Nancy), Louis and Vincent (Ron); four sisters, Lorraine Binstock, Darlene Frederick, Bernice Lovata, Linda (Tom) Stockert; two sisters-in-law, Paulette and Irene Praus; and several nieces and nephews.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Joseph (infant), Marvin, Andy, Larry; three brothers-in-law, Ray Binstock, Mel Lovata, and Gerald Frederick; husband and friend, Robert Jilek, and infant child.