Donna Marie (Kennedy) Nicholls (1929 - 2016)

Ancestors

Biography

During the early morning hours of Oct. 7, 2016, our beloved Donna Marie Nicholls walked into God's arms.

Donna was born May 3, 1929, and was adopted by Richard and Ella Kennedy. The theme of adoption would greatly influence the rest of her life, as three generations of her family celebrate the wonderful gifts adoption brings.

Donna was raised in Rosebud, Montana, as an only child. Here she worked and played until the passing of her father. She then traveled to Laurel, Montana to work as a waitress, to help provide for her mother. It was there that she met her devoted husband, Harold, better known by the world as "Squeak." Donna and Squeak would spend the next 57 years as husband and wife.

Together, they were blessed with four beautiful children: Bonnie, Bernie, Rusty and Dick. Donna devoted her life to them, being a full-time mother that included all the domestic duties of which Donna lovingly performed. Her family was everything to her. At the young age of 29, Donna began to lose her eyesight. This may have made life more challenging, however, her inability was never a disability. Though she lost her sight through her eyes, she never lost sight through her heart. She would drop everything to enjoy a cup of tea with a lemon drop and a good conversation with friends and family. Family and friends were always taken care of, with a baby sweater or blanket made by Donna to keep them warm.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Ella Kennedy; her husband, Harold E. "Squeak" Nicholls; her son, Russell E. "Rusty" Nicholls; son-in-law, Dan Davis; granddaughter, Rebecca Chatriand; and spoiled four-legged friend, Holly.

She is survived by her son, Dick (Candi) Nicholls; daughters, Bonnie (Bob) Chatriand and Bernie (Dean) Hansen; grandchildren Brenda Seifert, Nate (Dela) Chatriand, Matt (Heidi) Chatriand, Tad (Mary) Seifert, Shawn Nicholls, Nathan and Tyler Hansen, Jeff (Kara) Chatriand, Jina Seifert, Tyler Nicholls, Rusty (Joni) Chatriand, Sarie Nicholls and Talia Nicholls; great-grandchildren, Kole and Kallie Chatriand, Bailey and Mia Chatriand, Landon and Laine Nicholls, Eric and Harley Carson, and Rain, Lorelei, and Colter Seifert, and Olivia and Jaelyn Hansen; sister in-law, Edna Caudill; brother in-law, Tom (Beverly) Nicholls; brother-in-law, Bernard (Trudy) Nicholls; and brother in-law, Richard Nicholls.

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