Donna M. Shaffer

On Sept. 6, 1924, Donna Mae Schwandt was born to Dollie (Leonard) and Gust Schwandt on a farm near Rock Lake, North Dakota. She died of natural causes Monday, Feb. 1, 2016, at her home in Missoula.

Donna grew up surrounded by family, including many cousins from Minnesota and North Dakota. She attended school in Howell Township, Cando, North Dakota, and Los Angeles. The family moved back to the Rock Lake area and in 1941, at the age of 16, Donna graduated from Rock Lake High School. Following graduation, she attended two summer sessions at Minot Teachers College, then taught for one year in a one-room schoolhouse east of Rock Lake. She was then employed at a wartime airplane factory in Detroit, Michigan.

Upon Donna's return to North Dakota, she married Robert William Shaffer. Together, they farmed for several years before moving to Missoula for better job opportunities. Bob worked as a union carpenter. In 1965, Bob and Donna bought a neighborhood grocery store on the Northside of Missoula. Bob passed away in 1970, when the youngest of their 13 children, Mary Kay, was 5 years old; Donna and her children continued running Shaffer's Market until 1991. Through her position as the mother of a large family and a small-business owner on the tight-knit Northside, Donna mentored and inspired countless young people in innumerable ways.

Donna spent many hours watching her children play fastpitch. She was very proud of all her children and their achievements on and off the field. Donna enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren traveling the country or just being together at 706. Donna is proud to have visited every state in the Union, except Alaska and Hawaii. Much of her traveling included trips to visit her out-of-state daughters, Linda and Mary Kay. Interesting side trips were always included in the itinerary. Donna accompanied her four daughters on several of their silly sister trips. The most ambitious was a fall trip to the Northeast, where the group visited seven state Capitols in six days. She also toured 22 state Capitols and saw 17 more.

In 1995, longtime friend, BJ Larson, was the catalyst for Donna joining the Friendship Force, the international traveling group. The two friends and others toured parts of Germany. BJ and Donna took side trips to Poland and Berlin. Upon return, Donna became secretary for the club for many years. She has enjoyed many interstate trips, as well as trips to Canada.

Donna was active in Democratic politics. She held offices within the Democratic Central Committee and the Democratic Women's Club. On the Central Committee, she spent time as secretary, with Margaret Burditt as treasurer. They made a good team and remained close friends for life. Donna was precinct committeewoman for Ward 2 for many years. In the Democratic Women's Club, she held every office except vice president. She also served as regional director. She attended several conventions and state meetings. Through these activities, she met many important political people. She also attended the Governor's Ball.

Donna served the Missoula community in many capacities. She was active in the PTA wherever her children were attending grade school. She served on the Park Board, Missoula District 1 High School Board, Head Start Board, was elected to City Council for two terms, and appointed to fill out a third term. Some City Council meetings were followed up by a trip to Ben Martello's Silver Dollar Bar for a Whiskey Ditch. This bar remains a family touchstone during good times and bad. She was a longtime season ticket holder of the Missoula Community Theater and the Missoula Symphony. She was a Friend of Fort Missoula and a Friend of the Library.

An avid reader, Donna remembers receiving at least one book for Christmas every year of her life. Trips to the Missoula Public Library were a frequent outing. Her favorite genres were mystery, political nonfiction and biography. Crossword puzzles, Cryptoquotes and the Missoulian were a daily ritual. Several of her children and her grandchildren now follow in her puzzling footsteps. Many wonderful Wednesday afternoons were spent playing whist with the Jolly Twelve. This club started in 1943 and has met once a month since its inception. It is the longest running continuous whist game in Missoula.

Donna was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; daughter, Barbara Mae; sons, Kent (of Cut Bank) and Bill; grandson, Brady Linnell; daughters-in-law, Sybil Amos (Mike) and Christine Lipscy (Pat); son-in-law, Mike Robinson (Joan); her mother and father; brother, Roy; and sisters, Berna and Betty.

She is survived by her brother, Wayne and his wife Ann; 10 children, Mike, Linda (Mike Booth), Curt (Jane Kinyon), formerly of Shelby, Brent, Clark, Nancy (Bill Linnell), Pat, Brad (Lisa Clark), Joan and Mary Kay (Tim Howard). She is also survived by 23 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

Donna and family would like to thank Partners Hospice, especially George Bosse, and family friend, Dennis Reddress Bell, for caring for Mom. We would also like to thank daughter-in-law Jane, daughter Linda Booth and especially granddaughter Linda Mae Shaffer for their tireless and loving care in Mom's last weeks.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Donna's name to the Missoula Children's Theatre. Donna requests that you each read a book and register to vote (and vote).

Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, at the Missoula City Cemetery with a memorial service following at 2 p.m. Saturday at Garden City Funeral Home. A reception will follow the service.


Read Donna Shaffer's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.