Devan Donahue

MADISON – Devan Sara-Ann Donahue decided she could no longer suffer with her OCD, depression and anxiety, caused by a traumatic brain injury (TBI) when she was nine. On March 6, 2025, Devan took her own life by gun. She was born at St. Mary’s Hospital on July 1, 1999, to Sara Sandberg (Tim Togstad) and John Donahue (Debora). Devan began her life with a full spirit that was unstoppable. As a child she was so energetic, athletic, joyful, and gifted. She loved her friends, cousins, to sing & dance, play piano, laugh & giggle, and ride her bike. We will always remember how she loved to ride behind Tim, attached by the mongoose trailer bike, letting Tim pedal as she sang. Her favorite thing was keeping up with her brother Colin, even though he was 5 years older. She entertained her cousins and friends at grandpa & grandma’s lake home, making Grandpa Dick, then Tim take them all tubing and fishing. Devan was a daredevil at heart. In 2008, the day after her 9th birthday, that all ended when she was in an ATV accident, being saved by the Janesville, Minnesota fire & rescue and air lifted to St. Mary’s Mayo hospital in Rochester, MN, where she spent about 8 weeks. During this time Devan lost one of her beloved grandmas, Judy Togstad, in the hospital due to a stoke. Judy and the other Grandmothers came to help entertain Devan while she was going through long days of rehab but tragically, had a stroke. Devan then began the long road of recovery with speech, PT, OT, and surgery. She spent her 4th grade in a wheelchair and a helmet at Gompers elementary. Gradually Devan healed. She attended Black Hawk Middle in Madison, then Glacial Drumlin in Cottage Grove. She had worked hard to regain slight use of her left hand and left foot. She was a trooper having to do 3 hours of exercises after school each day and trying different therapies, but it was wearing on her psyche. She just wanted to dance and play like everyone else, but she never did accept her new abilities and changes. She did, however, work very hard at her homework and never procrastinated in getting it done. Devan made the honor roll all 4 years, received a high honor roll certificate in 2015 and made the National Honor Society 2016-17 and graduated from Monona High School in 2017. She was accepted at Minnesota State University, Mankato and was very excited to start but refused an IEP to help her navigate college classes, leaving after a quarter. She then was accepted at Madison College but never attended because she liked working. Devan worked at Madison Mallards one summer during HS. She then enjoyed working at Noodles & Company, American Girl (seasonal), Target, then Marriot (West). She loved to clean, organize, and help customers. Her happiest time was in 2018 when life for her was working, having a nice boyfriend, spending time with friends & family, but then she lost her brother Colin to an overdose in August. Devan developed contamination OCD during covid, after losing Colin and a few bad relationships. OCD was extremely tortuous for her and much misunderstood by friends and family. She was in deep pain and very isolated these last years and tried desperately to get help and therapy. This caused her to lose hope and push away people because she felt such shame. To understand some of what OCD is, which is very individualistic, we suggest people watch the Oprah/Prince Harry special called “The Me You Can’t See.” We want people to understand and seek help for OCD, depression, anxiety, and TBI. Devan loved fiercely those she knew. She loved her cat, Lt. James Dangle, her gentle giant, and her dog Reilly. She was kind, sweet, smart, and funny. She was a fighter but decided she could not face the pain she was living with and the constant search for the right therapies, scarce as they are. Devan is now at peace and free from her torture with her brother Colin (2018), Uncle John Sandberg (2024), Uncle Mark Donahue & Grandmother Ann Donahue (2020), Grandfather Richard (Dick) Sandberg (2017), and Grandparents Judy (2008) & Bob Togstad (2018). A celebration of life gathering will be held Friday, June 6, 2025, from 5 to 7pm at the Cress Funeral Home, University Avenue location. In lieu of flowers & memorials, donations may be made in honor of Devan to any organization or program of choice that helps with OCD, depression, anxiety, and TBI. We also ask people to be kind to those who are dealing with any mental illness by calling, checking in, encouraging, not judging, and just giving your love. Never ever give up. We miss you Devan.

Written by Devan's mother. Devan's father, John, will not be attending the Celebration of Life service. Any condolences for John can be mailed to his attention to the funeral home and will be forwarded to him. 

Cress Center

6021 University Ave. Madison

(608) 238-8406