Donna J. Dombrosky, 91
On the morning of Sunday, Oct. 29, Donna J. Dombrosky passed away peacefully in her home in Polson. She was 91.
Born Jan. 19, 1932, in Burlington, Iowa, Donna was one of six children born to Carl and Lillian Walstrom. An enthusiast of ancestry, she tracked her lineage to early 1800's Sweden (Walstrom) and England/Scotland (Hamilton). She had fond memories of hunting rabbits with her dad, and was never afraid to get her hands dirty.
Donna was an accomplished woman who owned her own beauty salon, was a licensed pilot, and rode a Harley. To her husband's protests against flying she said, "Yes, I'm a wife and a mother, but I am an individual too, and when I'm in a rocking chair I won't have to say ‘I wish.’ I can say ‘I did.’’’ She was a strong-willed woman who wouldn't be told what to do.
She had a talent for the arts, learning to play the guitar, paint, sketch and craft, and was a seamstress who made many elegant dresses. She and her late husband August raised their children in the Chicago area. They were great providers for their children, taking them on many family vacations, and instilling fond holiday memories.
Donna loved traveling, visiting Spain, Morocco and the Bahamas, and after retirement traveled the lower 48 states by RV with August and their grandson, Shaun, visiting all the major landmarks across the country.
Settling in for retirement in Montana, Donna saw over her small farm, raising horses, cows, goats, sheep, rabbits and chickens, and growing a garden. She had a big heart for her pets, taking in numerous animals over the years.
Donna was a life-long learner, attending college at 79 to study Anatomy, Physiology and Medical Coding. In her later years she enjoyed gardening, camping, fishing, watching Westerns, and off-road "jeeping" with friends.
She was a devoted mother and grandmother and was the cornerstone of her family. She will be greatly missed.
Donna was preceded in death by her husband, August, brother Bob, and sister Carol. She is survived by her brother, John, sisters Judi and Vicki, children Ed, Mark, Luann, Craig, Susan, Tina and Jan, as well as her 13 grandchildren, and her numerous great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held this upcoming summer.
Donna Dombrosky