Dona Aemisegger, 71

After a heroic struggle with brain cancer, Dona Aemisegger died peacefully in her home on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.

Dona was born on Jan. 17, 1951, in Kalispell. Dona is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 56 years, Nick Aemisegger; her son, Nick Aemisegger, Jr. and his wife Jacqué; two grandchildren, Alyxus Friesen and her husband Nick, and Nick Aemisegger III and his fiancé Analise; three beautiful great-grandchildren, Blaire, Quinn, and Kit Friesen; three brothers, Danny, Ronnie and Joe Swartzenberger; three sisters, Dana Toren, Debbie Cox, and Lori Barrett; and countless nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members and friends who were very dear to Dona.

Preceding her in death was her beloved daughter, Jamie Aemisegger, her father, John Swartzenberger, her mother Isabelle Meyer, her brothers, Dale, Jimmy and Butch Swartzenberger, and her sister, Barb Flemming.

Dona’s life was marked by a passionate love of family, a selfless care of others, and a limitless supply of grit and determination. When she was only 10 years old, she and her twin sister, Dana, helped care for their 9 siblings upon their father’s death. Dona worked summers at the Cherry Warehouse before meeting Nick, the love of her life, when she was 15. They got married a year later and were finished having children at age 18.

Dona’s determination and Nick’s entrepreneurial spirit proved to be an unstoppable force. They owned and managed several successful businesses over the years, including Wine and Waves, Nature’s Dream, Mountain Video, Evergreen Storage and LaSalle Mini Mall. Dona and Nick were also awarded the bid for Evergreen’s first contract Post Office, which Dona also managed for several years.

Dona was known for opening her home to others. Over the years she had scores of friends and family members find solace in the warmth and security of her loving hospitality. Many people lived with Dona and Nick for months and some even years. Whether short-term or long, those who stayed left feeling like they were adopted into Dona’s perpetually expanding extended family.

But the joy of Dona’s life was unquestionably her children, grandchildren, and (especially) her great-grandchildren, who affectionately referred to her as “G.G.” G.G. was fond of working “the littles” into fits of unbridled laughter and screams of joy as she chased them around the house yelling, “I’m going to get you!” Countless hours were spent playing hide-and-seek, getting big pushes on the swings, and “helping” G.G. cook in the kitchen. G.G. was always there for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved and protected them with the same limitless determination that marked her entire life.

In her final months, Dona used every ounce of her declining strength to teach Nick how to fend for himself in her absence. In turn, Nick used his newfound skills to attend to Dona’s every need with amazing love, tenderness and compassion.

The family would like to acknowledge Dana Toren, Dona’s twin sister, for her amazing love and support during the final months of Dona’s life. Dana fixed meals for the entire family (including Nick, Jacqué, Art and Tana) virtually every night after learning of her sister’s brain tumor. Her love, devotion and determination was matched only by her twin sister, who would have happily done the same thing for her.

In 1 Thessalonians 3, the Bible includes a prayer for the Lord to “make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else.” Dona exemplified the love of the Lord in her life. We are all better for experiencing it with her.

The family is honoring Dona’s wishes for a small, private ceremony. The family also encourages a donation to a worthy charity in lieu of sending flowers or gifts.