Donna M. Michaelson

Donna May Williams, 83, passed away peacefully of natural causes on Thursday, July 18, 2013.

She was born on July 30, 1929 in Pocatello, Idaho. She was the baby of the family and was the last surviving child of her eight sisters and two brothers.

During her early years, she was raised on a farm near Menan, Idaho, later moving to Rigby, and finishing high school there,

At 20 years old, she married Marvin Johnson and had two children. Donna and Marvin moved to Butte in 1955, and then moved to Walkerville, where they had a third child.

On May 18, 1956, Marvin was fatally hurt in a mine accident at the Lexington Mine. Donna stayed in Butte with the help and support of her brother, Ray Michaelson and brother-in-law, Russell Johnson, who had also come to Butte to work in the mines.

In 1957, she met and married Arthur Williams and had two more children.

In 1962, the family moved from Walkerville to their home on the "Flats," where she lived for 51 years

Donna was a model homemaker. She loved to cook and took great pleasure baking delicious bread, rolls and a variety of doughnuts.

She had a terrific sense of humor and would laugh so hard she would cry. She was a marvelous mother and lovingly cared for her five children.

She also had a passion for sewing and loved making quilts for all the newborn grandchildren. Donna got her greatest joy from family gatherings, where she could visit and enjoy the company and chaos that went with it.

She was preceded in death by her son, Richard Johnson in 1978, and her husband, Arthur O. Williams, in 2005.

Survivors include children and spouses, Gordon (Betty) Johnson of Butte, DeLona (Ed) Mihelich of Southlake, Texas, Kimberly (Mike) McLaughlin of Butte, and Brett Williams of Butte, and grandchildren and spouses, Nikki (Troy) Smidt of Las Vegas, Nev., Dr. Erik (Keri) Johnson of Butte, Kris Mihelich of Southlake, Texas, Kevin Mihelich of Fort Collins, Colo., Lindsey Mihelich of San Diego, Calif., Brandon (Katie) Whitaker of Butte, Lacie (Skyler) Willard of Helena, Geoff (Tonya) Williams of Butte, Chelsea Williams of Tumwater, Wash., and Heather Whitaker of Butte

Donna also had 13 great-grandchildren.

In accordance with her request, cremation has taken place and services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 23, at Wayrynen-Richards Funeral Home with Pastor Ron Martin-Dent presiding.

The family requests that memorials be made to Rocky Mountain Hospice.

Internment of remains will take place privately at a later date.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Oct 31 2017, 18:55:14 UTC