Donna Mae Helland, 95

In loving memory of Donna Mae Helland, 95, who was born April 10th, 1931, and passed away peacefully on Oct. 12, 2026, at Logan Healthcare surrounded by her loving family.

Donna was born in Fargo, North Dakota, to Walter H. Briscoe and Clara L. Nelson. She grew up in Fargo where she worked at Woolworths and later at St. Johns Hospital. She met her husband, Arthur J. Helland and was married on June 21, 1954, in Fargo. They moved to Hannaford, North Dakota, and took up running the farm belonging to the Hjalmer Helland family. 

Donna spent her years on the farm being a homemaker and raising six children, all of this without running water or plumbing. Life was not easy, but the family was raised with good religious values and a solid foundation. Family was the most important value in their lives, and this has followed throughout the lives of their children and grandchildren.

Donna and Art enjoyed bowling, family picnics, the community club and Sunday drives. In the summer of 1967, the farm was sold and the family moved to Kalispell where Art's brother was living.

Donna remained a homemaker but enjoyed bowling on leagues, dancing at the Elks, being a member of the Sons of Norway, camping and enjoying the outdoors. Donna loved dancing and was seen dancing even at 95 with her great-grandson, Jameson.

In November of 2003, Donna lost her husband just short of 50 years. Eventually she moved to VanEe apartments where she met her second family of friends and where her sister-in-law lived. She enjoyed many years of life playing cards and bingo, drinking coffee, having sweets and shopping with daughters. She was a joy and inspiration to all those who knew her and her kindness will never be forgotten.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Clara; her husband, Arthur J. Helland; and her siblings, Gene Nelson, Roger Nelson, Mary Hajek, Carol Hajek and Glennis Summers.

Donna is survived by her six children: Jeffrey Helland (Janet) of Columbia Falls; Linda Johnson (Marty) of Pasco, Washington; Terryl Cole (Dean) of Kalispell; LaDonna Culbert (Robert Kardelis) of Kalispell; Yvonne Tarr (Mark) of Columbia Falls; and Aaron Helland of Kalispell. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, with one on the way, and two great-great-grandsons.

I would like to thank all of the caring people who were there for Donna and her family in the end, her friends at VanEe living, the staff in the dementia unit of Logan Healthcare, Hospice and Palliative care and her pastor, Jeff Foster.

A celebration of her life will be held at Conrad Cemetery around June 11, 2027, with a gathering to be announced later.