Donna
Mae (Heppner) Linn, 68, of Shelby, earned her wings and was called to
heaven, dying from heart failure at the Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital in
Washington with her family by her side on November 27, 2006.
Donna was born on the warm summer day of August 23, 1938 in New Deal, Montana to John and Ione (Nelson) Heppner. She grew up in Plentywood and Great Falls before finding the love of her life, William (Bill) Linn. They were married August 7, 1955 and moved to Shelby in 1965. She enjoyed 51 wonderful years of marriage and had three lovely children.
Donna is survived by husband, Bill of Shelby; a son, Randy (Debra) Linn of Great Falls; daughters, Debbie (Brad) Munson of Devon and Pam (Todd) Vandersloot of Ridgefield, WA; a sister, Shirley (Bob) Myers of Floweree; a brother, Dennis (Jean) Heppner of Great Falls; seven grandchildren, Joey Adams, Kelly Adams, Katie (Shawn) Holm, David Linn, Casey Vandersloot, Cody Vandersloot, and Cassandra Vandersloot, as well as numerous brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents and a grand-daughter, Heidi Linn.
Donna had various jobs throughout her life. She ran a daycare while raising her kids, worked for Gambles until they closed the store, worked briefly at Ben Franklin before going to work at Buttery’s (Albertson’s) in the bakery department retiring from there in August of 2000.
During her retirement she kept busy doing many different things that she loved. Donna lived life to the fullest when she was able to visit with family and friends or while she was doing one of her favorite hobbies. These included baking her famous banana cream pie or famous chocolate chip cookies that the family would always argue over for the last piece. While she relaxed she enjoyed sewing many craft items and making scrap books chronologically following her children as they grew older. She also enjoyed bowling, playing bingo at the Senior Center , and visiting with friends. Donna was a member of St Luke’s Lutheran Church , Round Robin Pitch League, and the United Food Commercial Workers International Union.
Donna, Mom, Grandma, Ma was what she was called, and we will all miss her smile, her love, the care she gave each one of us individually and most of all the beautiful person that she was. Please join us in her celebration of life on Monday, December 4, 2006 at 11:00 am at St Luke’s Lutheran Church in Shelby with burial to follow in the Mountain View Cemetery . Visitation will be on Sunday, December 3rd from 1 – 8 pm at the Whitted Funeral Chapel in Shelby .
The family suggests memorials be directed to a charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be sent to www.whittedfuneralchapel.com.
She will be truly missed by her family and friends.