Donna Lou Baker

Donna Lou Johnson Baker, 86, passed away at Clark Fork Valley Hospital early Sunday morning, February 21, 2016 surrounded by her loving family. Donna was born March 23, 1929 in Minot, North Dakota to Louis and Grace (Alspach) Johnson. She graduated in 1947 from Riverside High School, north of Spokane, where she was the class Valedictorian. While in high school, she was involved in journalism, drama and played the violin in the school orchestra. Prior to her marriage to Charlie Richard Baker on May 27, 1950, she was attending Kinman Business School in Spokane on a scholarship.

Donna was quite adventurous as a wife to a logger. They lived in Idaho, Montana and Canada. In many places they lived like pioneers, with no electricity or running water. She was frugal and made ends meet when times were tough. They finally settled in Plains the Summer of 1963.

Together Donna and Charlie raised seven children, five boys and two girls. Her greatest legacy and treasure is her family. Donna put them first and worked hard caring for their needs. She enjoyed cooking and baking for them. She was always the first up and had breakfast ready every morning. They were well fed. Her fried chicken and lemon meringue pies are a few of the familys favorites.

Donna enjoyed reading and learning. She was very intelligent. If you had a question about anything, she would know the answer or where to find it. Her favorite TV show was Jeopardy. She was tough too, physically, she could take down a former NFL player named Wayne! She also had a wonderful sense of humor. There are many stories to be told.

Donna was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She had a love for the scriptures and an ability to teach them to others. She taught Seminary to the youth for many, many years and was loved by her studentseven the ones that werent her own children. She was an excellent teacher.

Donna is preceded in death by her sweetheart, Charlie, her parents, Louis and Grace Johnson, her sisters, Leona Bell and Ardith Coffman and grandson, Andrew Carson Baker. She is survived by seven children: Gary (Emma) of Missoula, Wayne (Terria) of Libby, Cheryl (Ron) Zacharias of Orem, UT, Keith (Sue), Russell (JoAnne) of Plains, David (Charlotte) of Libby, Sandra (Dave) Thompson of Plains; 34 grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren, plus a few in the oven. Also by her brother Eldon Johnson of Plains.

Service Information Funeral Service Saturday February 27, 2016 11:00 AM LDS Church Ronan, MT