1941
Donna
2022
Donna Mentzer
June 22, 1941 — January 5, 2022
Donna Catherine Mentzer, 80, passed away on January 5, 2022 at her home of natural causes. Donna was born on June 22, 1941 in Butte, MT to Donald and Marian(Meme) Morrison.
She grew up in Philipsburg, MT and graduated from Philipsburg High School in 1960. After high school, she ventured out to Helena, MT to go to business school. One day on a blind date,
she met a dashing fellow named Leland Mentzer and they married on April 28, 1962 in Philipsburg. The newlyweds relocated to Missoula in 1962 and she started working at
Missoula Employee’s Credit Union. Shortly after moving, their first son David was born in 1965, Darren followed in 1967 and Don in 1969.
The family resided in a little house on 10th street in Missoula and this is where a hobby of growing plants in small greenhouses in their backyard would soon turn into a thriving business.
In 1974, Donna and Lee purchased land on Mullan road,moved into an old farmhouse and established the successful Mentzer’s Greenhouse. Donna immersed herself in the
business as the bookkeeper and she would also help out by assisting with seeding and planting. She always did love planting season and the greenhouse became known for
their stunning poinsiettias at Christmas. The greenhouse, while in business, also hired many family members and friends.
Due to her husband’s failing health, the greenhouse was sold in 1998. Donna then started working at Safeway on Reserve Street bagging groceries.
She truly enjoyed this job and loved to chat with all the customers she helped everyday.
Donna was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004 and she braved this battle courageously and fought hard to get healthy again.
However, her husband's failing health took its toll, and he passed away in August 2006, but she decided to remain in the old farmhouse.
She retired in 2011 and then enjoyed a simple, quiet life. She really enjoyed watching her soap operas and the Hallmark Channel Christmas movies.
She loved spending time with her family and friends, loved to visit her grandkids in Columbus, MT, and loved it when she could
travel with her family. Through the years, she got to visit Germany, the Oregon coast, the Beartooth Mountains and Mt. Rushmore, Hawaii and Canada.
Almost every Sunday she would also go visit her sister Cookie in East Missoula, but never drove further than that by herself. She enjoyed taking drives as long as she didn't have to drive!
Donna also loved traveling with her cousin BJ, and together they visited Branson, Missouri and also went on a three week bus trip to Alaska.
She and BJ also enjoyed going to concerts when a good act would come to Missoula. They also loved going to Phillipsburg on Memorial day weekend to lay flowers and wreaths on graves
of their loved ones. She also loved watching CNN and would volunteer at the polls during elections.
In 2018 due to failing health, she sold the farm house and she moved in with her son David and his family just outside of Missoula where she resided until her passing.
Donna was known for always putting her boys first, her love for her grandkids and was always willing to lend a helping hand to her family and friends if needed.
Through the years, multiple family members lived with her and everyone was always welcome. She will be very missed by all of her family and friends.
Preceding her in death were her husband Lee, her parents, her sister Marianne Harris and her sister Elizabeth Tence, as well as sisters-in-law Darlene and Karol and brother in -law Garry.
She is survived by son David (Caroline) of Missoula, her son Darren (Michelle) of Missoula and Don (Shannon) of Columbus, MT
and grandchildren Donald, Quinn, Dylan, DJ, Zoey , Dawson, Laura, Rachel and Sarah. She is also survived by her best friend and cousin BJ,
her loving sister Cookie (Jim) brothers Jack ( Maryann) and Doug ( Robin), sister in-law Debbie, brother in Law Calvin (Harriet) and numerous nieces, nephews and great-grandchildren.
The family would like to express their thanks and appreciation for the wonderful care from Partners In Home Care Hospice in Missoula.
The family is truly grateful for all the help and care they provided for Donna.
A Celebration of Life will be held on March 19, 2022, 11 a.m at Garden City Funeral Home with interment folllowing the service.
Condolences and memories may be left at gardencityfh.com.
She grew up in Philipsburg, MT and graduated from Philipsburg High School in 1960. After high school, she ventured out to Helena, MT to go to business school. One day on a blind date,
she met a dashing fellow named Leland Mentzer and they married on April 28, 1962 in Philipsburg. The newlyweds relocated to Missoula in 1962 and she started working at
Missoula Employee’s Credit Union. Shortly after moving, their first son David was born in 1965, Darren followed in 1967 and Don in 1969.
The family resided in a little house on 10th street in Missoula and this is where a hobby of growing plants in small greenhouses in their backyard would soon turn into a thriving business.
In 1974, Donna and Lee purchased land on Mullan road,moved into an old farmhouse and established the successful Mentzer’s Greenhouse. Donna immersed herself in the
business as the bookkeeper and she would also help out by assisting with seeding and planting. She always did love planting season and the greenhouse became known for
their stunning poinsiettias at Christmas. The greenhouse, while in business, also hired many family members and friends.
Due to her husband’s failing health, the greenhouse was sold in 1998. Donna then started working at Safeway on Reserve Street bagging groceries.
She truly enjoyed this job and loved to chat with all the customers she helped everyday.
Donna was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004 and she braved this battle courageously and fought hard to get healthy again.
However, her husband's failing health took its toll, and he passed away in August 2006, but she decided to remain in the old farmhouse.
She retired in 2011 and then enjoyed a simple, quiet life. She really enjoyed watching her soap operas and the Hallmark Channel Christmas movies.
She loved spending time with her family and friends, loved to visit her grandkids in Columbus, MT, and loved it when she could
travel with her family. Through the years, she got to visit Germany, the Oregon coast, the Beartooth Mountains and Mt. Rushmore, Hawaii and Canada.
Almost every Sunday she would also go visit her sister Cookie in East Missoula, but never drove further than that by herself. She enjoyed taking drives as long as she didn't have to drive!
Donna also loved traveling with her cousin BJ, and together they visited Branson, Missouri and also went on a three week bus trip to Alaska.
She and BJ also enjoyed going to concerts when a good act would come to Missoula. They also loved going to Phillipsburg on Memorial day weekend to lay flowers and wreaths on graves
of their loved ones. She also loved watching CNN and would volunteer at the polls during elections.
In 2018 due to failing health, she sold the farm house and she moved in with her son David and his family just outside of Missoula where she resided until her passing.
Donna was known for always putting her boys first, her love for her grandkids and was always willing to lend a helping hand to her family and friends if needed.
Through the years, multiple family members lived with her and everyone was always welcome. She will be very missed by all of her family and friends.
Preceding her in death were her husband Lee, her parents, her sister Marianne Harris and her sister Elizabeth Tence, as well as sisters-in-law Darlene and Karol and brother in -law Garry.
She is survived by son David (Caroline) of Missoula, her son Darren (Michelle) of Missoula and Don (Shannon) of Columbus, MT
and grandchildren Donald, Quinn, Dylan, DJ, Zoey , Dawson, Laura, Rachel and Sarah. She is also survived by her best friend and cousin BJ,
her loving sister Cookie (Jim) brothers Jack ( Maryann) and Doug ( Robin), sister in-law Debbie, brother in Law Calvin (Harriet) and numerous nieces, nephews and great-grandchildren.
The family would like to express their thanks and appreciation for the wonderful care from Partners In Home Care Hospice in Missoula.
The family is truly grateful for all the help and care they provided for Donna.
A Celebration of Life will be held on March 19, 2022, 11 a.m at Garden City Funeral Home with interment folllowing the service.
Condolences and memories may be left at gardencityfh.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donna Mentzer, please visit our flower store.
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