Donna L. Vandeberg, 87

Donna Larson Vandeberg, 87, passed away peacefully on Aug. 12, 2018, at her home surrounded by her family. She was diagnosed with Stage IV adeno carcinoma of the lung on July 11. Her remaining days were to visit with loved ones, to make memories and to prepare her family to go forward with their lives.

Donna (Dolly) Perry was born on Feb. 10, 1931, to Luther and Freda (Neumiller) Perry in Havre, Mont. She graduated from Havre High School in 1949. On June 4, 1949, she married Ed (Edwin) Larson and the couple celebrated 44 years of marriage until Ed’s passing on Jan. 29, 1994.

From this marriage, 5 children filled their lives with love and adventure from camping in the Bear Paws to expanding the family to 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Children missing her wisdom and wonderful sense of humor include Lorraine (Frank) Verploegen, Havre, Mont.; Dana (Dennis) Cline, Havre, Mont.; Wanda Larson, Havre, Mont.; Karla (Marc) Ballard, Ft Worth, Texas; Wade (Nancy) Larson, Billings, Mont.

Twelve grandchildren treasure the memories of times spent with their “Grandma Dolly” are Eric Verploegen, Erin (Larry) Virts, Dara (Eric) Wilke, Darren Cline, Traci (Brady) Bowles, Amy (Ryan) d’Autremont, Levi (Shannon) Mork, Trevor Mork, Dylan Ballard, Rikki Ballard, Amanda Larson and Ryker Larson.

Great-grandchildren include Isaac Verploegen, Natalie Verploegen, Makiya Wilke, Danika Wilke, Taya Wilke, Syndey Bowles, Connor Bowles, Olivia d’Autremont, Nora d’Autremont, Donna Mork and Riley Tarr.

Other survivors include her sister Rosie Bickerdyke, Billings, Mont.; special daughters Judy Hodge, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; and Lori Bickerdyke, Laurel, Mont.

On Feb. 27, 1999, she married Don Vandeberg in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where they resided until his death in March of 2010. They spent time traveling and visiting family members around the country.

Dolly was a friend to everyone she met, always there to lend a helping hand to others in need and never knew a stranger. She was well known for her wonderful sense of humor, and inventing new recipes. Her family cherishes the memories she shared and made throughout the years that encouraged them through the good times and tough times.

After her diagnosis, she shared five thoughts to help with the healing of this loss. No long faces, keep a positive attitude, accept what we have been given and make the best of it, keep your sense of humor and have fun at her celebration of life.

Preceding her in death along with her parents were her stepfather Lewis Lee and her two husbands.

Donations in memory of Donna may be made to The Boys and Girls Club of the Hi-Line, 500 1st Avenue, Havre, MT, Plant a Seed…READ!, PO Box 782, Havre, MT; or to the donor’s choice.

Graveside service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 16 at Highland Cemetery in Havre. Arrangements are in the care of Dahl Funeral Chapel and memories may be shared at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com.