Donna Mae Brekke, age 80, Helena, MT, passed away Thursday, July 25, 2019 at Big Sky Care Center in Helena after a long, fulfilling life.
Donna was born March 7, 1939, in McHenry County, ND, to Elna Jensen and Fred Miller. She grew up in Velva, ND where she eventually met and married Dale Harlen Brekke.
Donna married Dale on April 19, 1958 in Velva, ND and resided in several locations in North Dakota and Montana. They moved to Helena in 1963. Upon moving to Helena, Donna worked for the Saga and Marriott hot lunch program in multiple Helena schools for over 25 years. She also worked for Superior Bus and Truck Sales and Associated Foods.
Donna was an active member of her community, involved in St. John’s Lutheran Church, Moose Lodge, Sons of Norway, and a member of the Helena Senior Center. She greatly enjoyed sharing a meal and visiting with her friends. Donna had a special place in her heart for the senior community.
Everywhere Donna went she ran into a friend or a familiar face. She loved attending all of her grandkids’ school and sporting events.
Donna and Dale were blessed with six children, Kevin, Lenny, Carrie, Jean, Ray and Jodee.
She is survived by son Ray (Kari) Brekke and their children Kelsi (Cody) Rummel, who are expecting Donna’s first great-grandchild Riley in December, and Gunnar Brekke; daughter Jean Brekke (Ruth Reukauf) and their kids Tyler (Kristin) Lindsey, Taiyler and Jaelyn Lindsey; daughter Jodee Brekke and her daughters Katherine, Eleanor, and Emerson Bacon; sister Audrey; brothers Alden, Dale and Ronnie, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Donna was preceded in death by her husband Dale, sons Kevin and Lenny; daughter Carrie; grandson Riley Brekke, sisters Eunice and Betty, brothers Gordon, Harold, Virgil, and Gary, and parents Fred and Elna.
Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, July 29th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 30th at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, 3580 Benton Ave. Burial will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, August 2nd at the North Prairie Cemetery in Simcoe North Dakota. Memorials in Donna’s name are suggested to the Ronald McDonald House, 935 E. S. Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84102 or to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or charity of the donor’s choice.
Service Schedule
Visitation
12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Monday July 29, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N, Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Family Receiving Friends
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Monday July 29, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N, Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday July 30, 2019
Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church
3580 Benton Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Funeral Service
Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church
3850 Benton Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Visitation
12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Monday July 29, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N, Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Family Receiving Friends
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Monday July 29, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N, Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday July 30, 2019
Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church
3580 Benton Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Funeral Service
Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church
3850 Benton Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Share
Peggy Seidel says
May Donna rest in peace. She was a dear friend to myself and my mother, Gladys.
Merry Casteel says
Rest in peace Donna, you were a good neighbor!
Dave and Arliss Sakos says
Rest In Peace Donna. Dad will be so happy you are joining him in heaven. You were a good friend to him for many years!
Debra George says
Sorry to hear of Aunt Donna’s passing, I’m so happy we were able to have such a nice visit on June 22. I know she will be missed by many! Always a happy, cheerful attitude.
Barbara Bickler says
Ray, Jeanne, Jodee and families,
We are so sorry for your loss. Aunt Donna was a special lady to me and to my family, as you all are. It was so good to see her in June. When we were eating lunch, she kept saying how nice it would be to have Dale there to eat with her. Now they are together. I will miss our telephone calls. She always loved hearing about my family and what all the family news was. Love you all. Take care of yourselves. Know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Barb and Greg
Connie (Rauser) Weaver says
Jean, Ray and Jodee. I am so sorry to hear of Donna’s death. My heart goes out to you all. Sending prayers, sympathy and prayers to you and your families.
Mary Ann Akers says
Rest in Peace, Donna. Prayers and blessings to your family and loved ones
Arby & Mac Makelky says
Donna will be missed by many. Loved visit enjoyed being around family. Sorry for you loss. Prays going out to you.
Betty Pfeilschiefter says
Donna and I were friends way back to when we were little kids and Buddy and I were there witness when they got married. I will always remember all the good times we had. You all have my prayer and love. Aunt Betty Pfeilschiefter
Jim and Sally says
Jim and Sally says
Ray and families
So very sorry to read about your mom. She was a very delightful lady and so glad I got to visit with her.
Our hearts feel your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you now and the days ahead. God Bless.
Kathleen Broussard says
Ray, Kari, and family
We are so very sorry about your mom. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Donna was so awesome and always so happy to see you and talk to everyone.
Keith, Kathleen, and Kory Broussard
karolee says
Ray and Family;
So Sorry for your loss.
Thoughts and prayers with you all.
Gus, Karolee Weickum and family
Doris Kittelson says
Sorry for your loss.
Deb Klein says
My condolences go out to the family of Donna. She was a special friend to my Mom, Phyllis Kuntz, and will always have fond memories of this feisty lady!
Eric Rasmusson says
Ray – sorry for your loss. They broke the mold after they made your mother. She and your father were A#1 people.
Jan and Bob Vogel says
Ray, Kari and family, so sorry to hear about your mom. May your memories help you through this difficult time.
Bob Pennington says
Ray and Family,
I am so sorry to hear about your moms passing. She was a wonderful woman who always had a kind word. She took very good care of us at Capital High and kept us out of trouble ( well the best she could anyway)! She will be greatly missed. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Crystal says
I want to share a wonderful memory of Donna. I worked as a customer service Rep at the Independent Record, Donna would come in every month to pay and would sit with me and we would visit and I looked forward to the day she came in. I left the IR and would run into her at various places in town and she would always have a hug for me and we would always visit for a bit. She would always ask how my family was as I would her. She was a very lovely woman and I will miss not seeing her. May peace find her and her family. Hugs Donna until we meet again.
Jackie Freeman says
To all Donna’s family,
I took care of your Mom and her sister Eunice at the local nursing home. I loved when Donna came to visit. She would go into her Mom’s closet, pick out a new blouse and say “Put this on Mom, we are going out!” She always was upbeat and friendly. She brought a picture of herself on a steer (stuffed of course) and had lots of fun sharing it with the residents at the nursing home. She was a very special lady!! God Bless!
Brenda knutson-felber says
Ray and family, I’m so sorry to hear of Donna’s passing. What a wonderful woman she was, and I am blessed to have known her for so many yrs.
Just remember that she will never really be gone, she will remain in your heart and only a prayer away.
Liz Hedden says
Ray, Kari and family,
So sorry to hear about Donna’s passing. I so enjoyed the time that I worked with Donna in the Capital High kitchen. She was a pistol and full of life. Remember the good times!!
Liz Hedden
Katie says
I love you grandma
Katie says
I miss you every day Grandma. I know you would be so proud of me. I wish I could talk to you. I can’t wait to see you again some day. Hope you and Grandpa Dale are having a blast up there. <3