Donna Mea Rose
Donna Mea Rose
Donna Mea Rose passed away on Dec. 18 after a two year battle with cancer. She fought a gallant fight, never complaining even during treatment and the almost daily trips to the infusion center.
Donna was born Oct, 22, 1935, in a railroad section house in the small town of Edgemont, S.D., to her loving parents, Lon and Clara Jackman. In 1942, her family moved to Igloo, S.D., on the Black Hills Ordinance Depot. Donna graduated from Provo High School in 1953 having served all four years as a high school cheerleader. After graduation she attended secretarial school in Spokane, Wash., and returned to the Depot as a Civil Service employee.
Donna married her high school sweetheart, Francis Rose, on June 30, 1956, and continued to work for the Civil Service until Francis graduated from college in 1958. Soon after, Donna courageously took on the role of a full-time homemaker and mother raising four sons and supporting her husband as he advanced in his teaching and coaching profession. In 1969, Francis and Donna accepted the monumental responsibility of raising a family, while Francis pursued his dream of coaching college football, wrestling and track at Rocky Mountain College. Every time Francis led his teams into competition, sitting faithfully in the stands was his staunchest supporter Donna.
When her youngest son entered high school, she went to work as a special education aide at Rose Park Elementary. She loved working with children and was known as the "First Aide" at Rose Park by her students. After retiring, she volunteered as a library aide at McKinley, Orchard and Miles Ave., elementaries. Because of health concerns, she became an avid walker and swimmer, making scores of friends along the way. With her friend Betty Becker, they explored every corner of Billings, Mont., and her swimming group became known as the "mermaids" as they became both an exercise group and social group.
Throughout her life what was most important to her was always her family and of course her dogs. They were always treated like "human" members of the family. Having raised four boys, Donna became a wonderful cook who loved to try out new recipes on her more-than-willing family and friends. Donna was a member of the Order of Eastern Star and a very active member of P.E.O. Through P.E.O., Donna devoted herself to the support of education and P.E.O.'s continuing commitment to Cottie College.
Donna is survived by Francis, her devoted husband of 48 years; and sons, Douglas and wife Mary of Gillette, Craig and his wife Jackie, Todd and his wife Brenda, and their youngest son Kevin Rose of Billings; four grandchildren, Aimee and Andrew of Gillette and Taylor and Tad of Billings and two brothers, twin brother Doug and his wife Connie Jackman of Fort Collins, Colo., and brother Bruce and his wife May Jackman of Clarkson, Wash. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Lon Jackman Jr., and Gordon Jackman.
In lieu of flowers, she required memorials be sent to Big Sky Hospice, Box 35033, Billings or the Scottish Rite Language Clinic, 514 14th St. W. in Billings.
A memorial service was held Dec. 22 at Smith's West Chapel, 304, 34th St. W. A reception followed at the chapel.