Donna Mae Smith

Donna Mae Smith, 77, passed away on June 23, 2010 in Whitefish, with those she loved and those who loved her at her side after a long struggle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Donna was born July 18, 1932 at the family farm in Noonan, N.D., to Oliver Bernard Teigan and Margaret Francis Moore.

She married her lifelong love Edward C. Smith on May 6, 1951. They would start their married life and their family in Colgan, N.D., with the birth of daughter Linda and would move to the Flathead sometime after that, where they would have three more children, Claudia, Rick and RoxAnn. It would be Columbia Falls that became home to them.

Donna was a homemaker in her early years, as having four children kept her plenty busy, but would soon find herself in the work force. She was involved with the DD Restaurant for several years but would find herself at Jack's Pharmacy Liquor Store for many years.

She loved to play bingo and follow the Saturday rummage sales with her girlfriends. She was blessed with such good friends and lots of laughs and good times. As the grandchildren started to arrive her time changed and she became 'Grama', a role she took seriously. There wasn't anything she wasn't prepared to do or give if asked.

She was preceded in death by both her parents, brother Lloyd Teigan and sister Olive Knoepfle, a loss she felt deeply.

Donna is survived by her husband Edward at the family home, Linda and Bill Hand in Pinehurst, Idaho, Claudia and Bob Dakin in Custer, S.D., Rick and Renae Smith in Columbia Falls and RoxAnn Keltner at the family home in Columbia Falls. Eight grandchildren: Corey Hand and partner, of Spokane, Wash.; Carri Kruenegel and family of Coeur D'Alene, Idaho; Tom Kemppainen and family of Columbia Falls; Shawn Weber of Three Forks; Andrew Smith of Columbia Falls; Chelsea Hagen and husband Eric of Columbia Falls; Jessica Beck and family of Williston, N.D.; Tarryn and Freddie Morgan of Coram. Four great-grandchildren: Tristan Kruenegel, Kierra and Easton Kemppainen, and newest addition Drake Thomas Diederich, and by her brother Delmer Teigan of Columbia Falls and numerous nieces and nephews.

Cremation has taken place and there will be a small family service in Libby at a later date.

Mom took a nap and went on to be greeted by those she loved and has missed so terribly over the years and to wait for those she continues to love.

Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is assisting the family.