Donna Mae James, 94
It is with great sadness that the family of Donna Mae (Brumbaugh) James, 94, announce her passing.
Donna, loving wife of 73 years to Donald Ray James, and beloved mother of seven children, passed peacefully at Hidden Meadow Memory Care surrounded by loving family and caring Hidden Meadow staff, leaving a void her family cannot fill.
She was born in Whitefish and except for a short period of time, lived her life in the Flathead Valley.
When her children were grown, she realized she had more to give. She went back to college and got her BA in elementary education, completing two years of classes in one year, and maintaining 4.0 GPA. She used her degree as a teacher in a local elementary school working with students needing extra help. She traveled to various local schools teaching math skills through the game of cribbage.
She was a wonderful mother who was always there when we needed her the most, offering support, wisdom, and love in abundance. A friend to many, she was an active and cherished member of the Church of Latter-Day Saints in Kalispell, leaving behind a legacy of kindness and strength.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Ray James. She leaves behind seven children, son David James, his wife Jan their daughter Jayde, her husband James, and their family; daughter Diana Kikendall, her husband Joe and sons Brian and Jeff and their families; daughter Dara Laggart, her husband Ed, their children Eric and Andrea, and their families; daughter Debbie Isakson, her husband Buck, their children Elliot, Stephanie, Tracy, Brandy, and their families; daughter Dawn Bostic, her husband Randy, their daughters Nicole and Marchelle and their families, son Daniel, his wife Patty, their daughters Elizabeth and Hayley; son Darrin and his partner Kevin; twenty-seven great-grandchildren, and seventeen plus great-great grandchildren.
Services will be held on Monday, Oct. 7, under the direction of Darlington Cremation and Burial, 3408 US Hwy 2 E. Kalispell. Viewing at noon, service at 1 p.m., burial at 2 p.m., with a reception to follow at The LDS church, 1380 Whitefish Stage Rd., Kalispell.