Donna Lee Skor Muffick died peacefully surrounded by her family January 25, 2018 in Helena, Montana at the age of 85. Donna was born June 8, 1932 in Hanks, North Dakota to parents Lloyd Skor and Leah Evanson Skor. The family lived in Plentywood and Hardin, Montana until moving to Helena when her father, Lloyd, started teaching and coaching in the Helena school system.
Donna graduated from Helena High School in 1950 and attended the University of Montana in Missoula for two years as a music major. She was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. In June 1953, Donna married Richard “Dick” Muffick of East Helena. The couple had three children and later divorced.
Donna’s first job, at age 14, was at the Parrot Confectionary in Helena. This early connection led to a family tradition of chili, hot caramel sundaes and cherry Cokes with her children, nieces and grandchildren.
Donna worked for the Montana House appropriations committee (and it’s long serving chairman, Francis Bardanouve) for many legislative sessions in the 1960’s. She was a legal secretary for Hughes, Bennett and Cain in Helena. In 1985, at age 53, Donna returned to college. She graduated from Carroll College with a Baccalaureate degree in English Writing in 1989. Donna worked for the Montana Health and Human Services division and then the Office of Political Practices as a technical writer until her retirement in 1999.
Donna was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. She sang in the church choir and the Helena Symphony Chorale. She taught piano lessons, directed church choir and attended as many concerts and musical events as possible. Even though she was an accomplished pianist and chose not to pursue her musical career professionally, Donna had no regrets. She said her greatest accomplishment was being a mother and grandmother.
After seeing Garrick Ohlsson in concert at the Helena Civic Center, he became her all-time favorite pianist. Donna especially loved his recordings of Frederic Chopin.
Donna also avidly followed her sons’ baseball careers from peewee league and American Legion through college ball.
Besides her family, Donna had a great interest in antiques and other “wonderful things”. Even though her travels only took her as far west as Spokane, Washington and as far east as Minneapolis, Minnesota, Donna compiled a collection that would rival the collections of many world travelers. Many happy times were spent with her daughter, Karen, and sister, Terye, crisscrossing the state seeking out “the next wonderful thing”.
Donna had a love of learning and experienced the world through her love of music, art, antiques and books. Donna spoke proudly of her first library card she received at the age of six and she kept it forever. She was a voracious reader. She belonged to several books clubs ranging from mysteries to classics to current literature.
In her later years, as her vision diminished, Donna became interested in painting. She had a small studio at her home filled with paints, canvases and inspiration pieces made by other artists. Donna passed along this love of art and creativity to her granddaughters and grandnieces as they created many happy (and messy!) memories and masterpieces.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd and Leah Skor. Survivors include daughter Karen (Dave) Lauridsen of Polson, Montana; son Rande of Montana City, Montana; and son Ron (Aimee) Muffick of Montana City, Montana. Grandchildren include Kari Edling of Phoenix, Arizona; Dana (Jeremy) Glassman of Aurora, Colorado; Megan Beigh, Tyler Beigh, Kristen Muffick and “the Little A’s”, as Donna called them, Allie and Abbie Muffick all of Montana City. Great Grandchildren are Kaelyn Edling of Phoenix and Garrett and Finley Glassman of Aurora.
Surviving siblings are Sharon (Lanny) Fred of Billings, Montana; Douglas (Kathy) Skor of St. Paul, Minnesota; and Terye (Les) Loble of Big Sky, Montana. Donna is also survived by many nieces and nephews and extended family.
Cremation has taken place and a private family service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, carry Donna’s love of books forward and donate to the public library of your choice. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Donna.
“Well done good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:21
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
Share
Bryan and Joan says
Ron, Aimee and family. So sorry for your loss. Bryan and Joan
Barbara and Bruce Knutson says
Ron, Aimee and the entire Donna Muffick family,
You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Donna was a wonderful woman and besides antiquing and good garage sales that we had in common, we get to be the Grandma’s to the Muffick grandchildren. You will be missed Donna ? Love to you all!!
Kayla Schell says
Rest In Peace Grandma Donna. You will be greatly missed ❤️
Julie Stinchfield DeMars says
Sending prayers to the Muffick family. May Donna rest in peace.
Dulcy Hubbert says
So very sorry to read about the passing of Donna. I worked with her at the Political Practices office. I always loved hearing about her antiquing expeditions. She was a wonderful woman and was a joy to know!
Amy and Ryan Crawford says
Ron, Aimee, Kristen and Family,
We have fond memories of Grandma Donna from the days when she would come to watch Kristen play basketball. She was a wonderful and sweet lady and always so proud of her family. She will be missed. Hugs to you all,
The Crawford’s
D Scott brown says
Donna Skor, her sisters, Sharon and Terye, her brother Doug, and especially their Mother and Father, Leah and Lloyd, welcomed me–actually, my entire family–into our new Helena neighborhood and St. John’s Church in the 1950s. Their home across from Broadwater School was a gathering place; a friendly and wholesome place for, it seemed, every kid in the neighborhood. Donna was in college, but came home often. The Skor family has epitomized generosity, goodness and the Grace of God throughout their lives. Donna’s family: Be comforted by the certain knowledge of His love (I John 3:1).
Chuck Johnson says
I came to know Donna when I was a newspaper reporter and she was a legislative secretary and later a staff member in the Office of the Commissioner of Political Practices. She was always very kind and helpful in providing the public information I needed. After she retired, we’d run into each other at garage sales and antique shows. She couldn’t wait to show me the latest treasures she had found, and I did the same. She would talk about how proud she was of her family. Donna was a wonderful woman and will be missed by many.
Audrey Blomquist says
Ron and Aimee – our thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time. Please let us know if you need anything. Love, Uncle Tim and Audrey
Pastor Brad Ulgenes says
I am so sorry to hear of Donna’s passing. I enjoyed my visits with her and my time with her at our Bible studied. She will be greatly missed and remembered by her St John’s family. If I can be of assistance or help to you in the future, please contact me. May God’s Grace and Peace be with you. Pastor Brad Ulgenes, St John’s Lutheran Church.
Suzanne Schwichtenberg, Librarian says
Donna was so fun and interesting at book groups here at the Lewis & Clark Library. We miss her! Condolences to your family during this difficult time.
Paul Evanson says
I heard of Donna’s passing while reading the church bulletin at St. John’s church last Sunday. I remember Donna offering me a comforting word at my Dad’s burial at Fort Harrison in April of 1989. I remember visiting with Donna, Dave and Karen, Randy and Ron at the house on California in the 70’s. I had hoped to see Donna again, especially in this last year. I had talked with church members who had visited her. Regretfully, time ran out. My thoughts and prayers are with my cousins and their families at this trying time.