Donna Maxine (Clark) Lamping
On the evening of March 30, 2020 mom passed away peacefully in her home in Helena due to Heart Failure at the age of 73 years old.
Mom was born on March 2, 1947 in Fort Benton, Montana to Frank Clark and Lillian Foucher Sutheimer.
Mom was raised in Fort Benton near the family ranch in Shonkin, Montana where she and brother, Ron, made many memories. Just one of many was a time they snuck the old Jeep out and were driving up a steep hill. The brakes went out and the Jeep rolled backwards finally running into a brush patch that stopped them.
Mom moved to Helena during her high school years, graduating from Helena Senior High in 1965.
She had her first daughter, Tami, in July 1966.
Early in life, Mom worked in the health care industry as a CNA at St. Johns Hospital in Helena, MT. She continued working for the State of Montana CompreHealth as a Case Manager. Mom then went to work at the Historical Society and worked part-time at the Korner Bar in East Helena where she met Daniel Lamping. Story has it that she made him work for a date. The two were married on October 18, 1975 and together they had two children: daughter, Daniell, and son, Ty. After the birth of Daniell, mom chose to be a stay at home mom.
Mom and Dad became avid snowmobilers with close friends and family. They went on annual trips to West Yellowstone and spent many week-ends in Lincoln at Ray and Vi Smith’s cabin. Niece, Sylvia Lamping, recalls a time when mom tipped her machine over and came up with a face mask full of snow. Mom’s response was, “You didn’t even ask me if I was ok!” Sylvia knew she was ok and didn’t need to ask. Mom was tough!
Mom enjoyed fishing, camping, boating, snowmobiling, downhill skiing and spending Sundays at the Lamping family cabin. She also bowled on league for a number of years, traveling to Seattle, New York City and Las Vegas. Mom loved poker machines, live keno and bingo (owning every color of blotter available), rarely winning, or so she said.
In the early 1990’s, mom purchased a ceramic shop, Carousel Ceramics, with Mary Secor. Together they had a successful business, teaching classes with the most up-to-date techniques and made some life-long friends.
After nearly 10 years, she closed the doors to start her next adventure. At age 54, Mom finally purchased what she had always wanted. A Harley Davidson. She loved speeding up around corners, leaving most of the pack behind.
In 2007, she rode with a group of friends to Sturgis. On their way back, the group was in no hurry to get home, but Mom was wanting her own bed, so she took off from the group and rode alone, reaching home at 2 a.m. Proof that she was one tough lady at the young age of 61.
In 2009, Mom trailered her bike to Roswell, NM., where Cheryl, her bestie, had moved years earlier. From there, the two rode around NM and parts of Texas. They took numerous trips around the state of Montana and South Dakota.
The next adventure was becoming a Snowbird. She and dad traveled to their second home, Parker, Arizona every October, returning in early April.
Once home in the spring, she was already looking forward to going south the following winter. She loved all of the friends they made, the endless card and other games they would play, all the crafts she would do and bring home. She even had Dad buy an enclosed trailer so she could ride her Harley with her snow-bird group.
One of Mom’s most favorite trips was to Redding, CA to see brother, Ron, nieces Kelle and Cirby and their families. She loved Redding and being close to Ron, always talking about buying a little house there.
Mom was preceded in death by her mother, Lillian Sutheimer; father, Frank Clark; step-mother; Eva Clark; and niece, Kelle Clark.
Mom is survived by husband, Dan; daughters: Tami (Eric) Much, Daniell Redden; son, Ty (Amber) Lamping and grandchildren: Trey and Cole Redden, Ashlyn, Madi and Connor Lamping; brother Ron Clark (Janie LaCroix) of Redding, CA.; niece Cirby (Tu) Manivong, and their children: Taylor, Austin, Braxton, Ammery, and great-niece Kelsey Hunter, all of Redding; sister, Lori Dahmen and family, best friend, Cheryl deMontigny of Roswell, NM and we cannot forget to mention her four legged companion, Lilli.
Special and heart-felt thanks to Sylvia Lamping for assisting with Mom’s appointments, keeping her company, making her laugh and taking trips to DQ for Cotton Candy Blizzards.
Special thanks to Dr. Weiner and his team at the Cancer Treatment Center.
Memorials may be made to God’s Love or the Humane Society.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2020 at Mountain Family Fellowship Church, 6145 North. Montana Avenue in Helena. A reception will follow the service in the fellowship hall of the church.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday June 20, 2020
Mountain Family Fellowship Churcn
6145 N Montana Ave, Helena, MT 59602
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Memorial Service
Saturday June 20, 2020
Mountain Family Fellowship Church
6145 N Montana Ave, Helena, MT 59602
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday June 20, 2020
Mountain Family Fellowship Churcn
6145 N Montana Ave, Helena, MT 59602
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Memorial Service
Saturday June 20, 2020
Mountain Family Fellowship Church
6145 N Montana Ave, Helena, MT 59602
Helena, Montana 59602
Share
Penny Adams Cloninger says
Donna after high school I always wondered where you lived. My sincere sympathy to your family. We were friends in school and had classes together.
Rodney and Kate says
Dan, Ty, Tammy, Danielle and families,
The world is a lot less vibrant with the loss of Donna. She was such a spirited, fun-loving lady, we are blessed to have had her as part of our family. You are all in our thoughts as you live life without her, may your memories help ease your grief.
Pat Armstrong says
So sorry for your loss. Donna was a great lady and she will be missed. John and I wish you well and hope we will be able to celebrate her life at a future safer time.
Vanessa Tolson says
What a beautiful lady. I ran into her not long ago at Safeway, we had a great chat about “the good ole days” and all the great memories we had! Great chat and talked about getting together for lunch or coffee. Don’t put those events off, just do it! We never did, darn it. My thoughts and prayers to her family.
Ronda & John Jenko says
So sorry to hear about Donna, she was a great lady who will be remembered for her free spirit! She always amazed me when I would see her on her big Harley with her leather chaps, a bandana wrapped around her head with her purple fingernails ( purple was her color ) God bless you Donna and may you Rest In Peace!
Wanda Arlint says
Sorry for your lose.
Jerry Maddio says
Dan I’m so sad you lost Donna she was a sweetheart. Prayers for you and your family .
Della Dobbins says
Tammy, I’m so sorry for the loss of your Mom. Keep all your memories close to your heart. Love you girl.
😘
Della Dobbins
NANCY J PRAY says
Donna and I were friends in high school. So sorry for your loss. May God bless your family at this time.
Debbie Hrella DeMers says
Dan, Danelle and Ty- My heart hurts for your loss. Donna exhuded life! Our many conversations over the grocery counter always ended in laughs. I am privileged to have known her.
Kathy Munson says
Tami and family deepest sympathy at this time. It will get better. I still miss my Mom and occassionally still reach for the phone to share something with her. Hugs miss yor face at work. Stay safe …. and hope to see you soon.
ronell floding says
Dan, Tami, Ty, Daniell
We are thinking of all of you during this difficult time–
We loved Aunt Donna!!
Anthony Todd Nelson says
Sorry about your mom Tami, Ty and Daniell
Sandy Lamping says
Dan,Tami Ty and Daniell
So sorry for your loss, keeping you in my prayers during this difficult time.
Jodi Smith says
My sincere condolences to your family. As her groomer for almost 20 years I will definitely miss her pretty smile and caring hugs. Rest In Peace my friend.
Pam Day says
I have such great memories of your momTami! Remembering trips to the cabin, one time she was so mad we went wandering and crossed the creek, but not for long! Hanging at your house, she was always so welcoming! Always a smile when she came in for her glasses or checkups! Her adventurous spirit lives in you! She is healed and whole in Heaven 💜💜
ROSIE WILSON says
Donna and I were friends in high school. My prays are with your family. RIP my friend.
Val says
Praying for you and your family. Sorry for your loss..
Renee Irving Clear says
Daniell, I’m so sorry for this tremendous loss 💜 please reach out if I can be of support. Renee
Danny S Jacquez says
I am so sorry for your loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless you all.
Rabbit & Barb says
So sorry to hear that, prayers for family.
Mark Ryckman says
I had the pleasure of snowmobiling with the Lamping family in the late seventies and eighties, Donna was always such great fun to be around? I’ll never forget her. RIP my friend. To all Donna’s family, my sincere condolences.
Kay Hickman says
Tami — Had a good time with your mom … So sorry for you and your family. Donna had a super personality … Take Care
Cindy & Jerry Steinmetz says
Our sincere condolences to the Lamping Family. Donna was a wonderful person with an infectious smile and a great sense of humor. She will be missed.
Mary (Kelly) Judge says
Dan and family, I’m so sorry for the loss of your Wife and Mother. May God bless and comfort all of you.
Mary (Kelly) Judge
Sara Graveley-Moody says
Tami and family.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your Mother. She really lived life to the fullest.
I hope you will find healing in the coming days…months… years.
Love and prayers
Sara Graveley-Moody
Denise Feller says
Donna was so much fun in High School. Always had something to add and we usually laughed about it. Wish I had known she was so close–we could have gotten together!!
Mick Mitchke says
Dan, I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your wife. I hope things go as well for you as they did for me when my wife Annette died in 2012.
Doug Smole says
DEAR DAN,
OUR HEARTFELT THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS FOR YOU AND FAMILY AND YOUR MANY FRIENDS THAT GRIEVE AT THIS TIME. DONNA OBVIOUSLY WAS ONE OF A KIND—-A VERY SPECIAL ENERGETIC PERSON. SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR LOSS OLD FRIEND. DOUG (from way up North)
Donna Dawson says
Dan and family I am so sorry for your loss
I am one of Donna’s friends from Parker Az
A snowbird of course I have great memories of Donna mostly her name There were 4 Donna’s in our park and she was one of the first so when anybody said Donna everybody turned to look we then knew we had to have Knick names well she spoke right up “I will be Purple Donna the rest of you figure yours out” well we all knew purple was her so the rest of us went in order we came in park #1,2,3 So we all knew where we stood as we were called by our # Donna you will be missed by all your friends here At Cienega Springs you were
Our friend always and a wonderful hand and foot
Foot player Test in peace my friend
Donna#2 from Parker Az