Donna Drganc

Donna Drganc, age 77, of Eagle Lake, died on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at her home.

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at the Northview-North Mankato Mortuary, 2060 Commerce Drive, North Mankato. Interment will be at Minneopa Cemetery, Mankato.  The funeral will be livestreamed and available on Donna’s obituary page at www.mankatomortuary.com.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, February 10, 2023 at the funeral home and continue for one hour prior to the service on Saturday.

Donna Sisley, the daughter of William and Mary (Smith) Sisley, was born on June 7, 1945 in Westfield, NJ. She married her soulmate John “Jack” Drganc on June 17, 1967. She graduated from Bradley University in Peoria, IL with her bachelor’s degree in Speech Pathology in January of 1967 and she also graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato in June of 1988 with her master’s degree in Special Education. Donna was previously employed at United Cerebral Palsy in Akron, OH and St. Louis, MO. For over 20 years, Donna was a director at the Harry Meyering Center (HMC) before she retired. Donna’s life’s work was to assist people with disabilities in their own home and to have full, meaningful lives. Not only did she bring a value-based, person-centered approach to her work, she mentored countless people and encouraged their careers in the disability field. She was always giving to the people she served, including having people she worked with home for the holidays and creating opportunities for vacations.

In 2000, Donna won the Sertoma Club’s Annual Service to Mankind Award where she was recognized for her achievements in advocacy and support for people with disabilities. Including shaping critical legislation to improve the quality of life for all people with disabilities and their caregivers. In 2001, Donna graduated from Leadership Mankato and was recognized for bringing resources to the community. She was a member of the Greater Mankato Diversity Council and Immanuel St. Joseph’s Hospital Auxiliary Board. She enjoyed gardening, traveling with her friends to Hawaii and Europe, and spending time with her grandchildren. Donna was very creative and enjoyed crafting. Her sense of humor was unmatched and her laughter could fill a room.

She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Drganc (Nichole) and her children, Mason and Lucas Riggs; daughter, Katie Berlin and her children, Ryan and Eliza Berlin; and countless other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and sister Judy (Gerald) Vosbeek.

The live stream link below is a complimentary service provided by Mankato Area Funeral Homes.

Unforeseen technical, internet, facility, and/or acoustical circumstances may produce a diminished end product. Please note, if the live stream does not appear, we are attempting to record and publish the service for later viewing.