Esther Louise Donnelly, of Miles City, passed away peacefully the morning of July 17, 2015 at the age of 80. Louise, as her family and friends knew her, began life as Esther Louise Niles on December 11, 1934. Born on the Niles family ranch, near O’Neill on the Powder River between Miles City and Ekalaka, she was the youngest of five children born to Esther and Charles Niles. She was raised on the family ranch until 1940, when the family moved to Tacoma, Washington, where her father and oldest brother worked in the shipyards in support of the Allied war effort in World War II.
At the war’s end in 1945, the family returned to the ranch, where Louise continued her education at Trail Creek School. She then attended Custer County District High School in Miles City, living in an apartment with her older sisters while her parents continued to live at the ranch, 47 miles outside of town. During this time, she also developed a lifelong friendship with fellow CCDHS student Pat Donnelly, who, as it turned out, was the baby sister of Louise’s future husband. After graduating in 1953, Louise attended Montana State University in Bozeman in pursuit of a nursing degree.
Louise took a break from her college education after marrying Albert Donnelly in 1954. Living in Miles City, where Al worked for Montana-Dakota Utilities for 39 years, Louise and Al were faithful Catholics and active members of Sacred Heart Parish who had eight children between 1955 and 1973: Dianne, Karen, Kevin, Daniel, Brian, Conan, Daren, and Sean. Often spending weekends at her beloved family ranch on the Powder River, Louise and Al’s lives revolved around their family and children, attending games and school programs, going to church, taking the family on vacations, and just enjoying the little pleasures of life, like taking the family to the Dairy Queen, the Airport Inn, or for evening drives in the Yellowstone valley.
When her youngest child was old enough to attend school, Louise resumed her education, earning a degree as a registered nurse from Miles Community College. She then accepted a position as an RN at Custer County Rest Home, where she worked until her retirement in 1994. Louise greatly enjoyed her career as a nurse, especially the opportunity to work at the rest home with her sister Phyllis, who was also an RN there for many years.
In 1994, Louise was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. For the rest of her life, she inspired admiration from those around her for the courage with which she dealt with the growing challenges of her condition. She remained as active as possible, going on vacations to places she’d always wanted to visit, like Ireland, Hawaii, Alaska, Boston, and Branson, Missouri. She also joined a knitting circle, which not only offered her a chance to spend more time with her good friends in the group, but also allowed her to keep fighting to maintain her physical dexterity that Parkinson’s disease had begun to erode. For several years, she kept her advancing symptoms at bay, and in the process produced several beautiful knitted hats for her new baby grandchildren, who seemed to arrive nearly every year in those days.
In 2008, Louise’s beloved husband, Albert, passed away at the age of 80, after 54 years of marriage. For several more years, she remained active, traveling with family when she was able, and enjoying time with her children and grandchildren, of whom several more were born during the final years of her life. In recent months, as she knew her time was near at hand, Louise reassured her family that she had lived a full and happy life and was at peace, ready for “the long journey” ahead of her.
Louise was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Donnelly; her daughters, Karen and Dianne Donnelly; her sons, Daniel and Brian Donnelly; her sister, Betty Lamach; her brother, Jim Niles; and her parents, Esther and Charles Niles. She is survived by her sons Kevin (Lori) Donnelly of Miles City, Conan (Jeannette) Donnelly also of Miles City, Daren (Shawna) Donnelly of Missoula, and Sean (Kelby) Donnelly of Great Falls, as well as by her sister, Phyllis Kempf of Miles City, and her brother, Chuck Niles of Spearfish, S.D. She is also survived by eighteen beloved grandsons and granddaughters, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Louise was an extraordinarily wonderful woman, a woman of great faith, and one who always treated others with caring and kindness. She will be fondly remembered by all those who knew her, and although we mourn her passing, may we also take heart in the faith that she has gone on to a far better place. To paraphrase the great author C.S. Lewis, her life here on earth was but the cover and title page, and she has now begun the greatest story of all, which no one has ever read, which goes on forever, and in which every chapter is better than the one before it, and we can all truly say that she is living happily ever after.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 from 1:00-7:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City followed by a Rosary and Vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City. Rite of Committal will follow in the Calvary Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday July 21, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Rosary & Vigil
7:00 p.m.
Tuesday July 21, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00 a.m.
Wednesday July 22, 2015
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Miles City, MT 59301
Rite of Committal
following funeral
Wednesday July 22, 2015
Calvary Cemetery
Miles City, MT 59301
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday July 21, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Rosary & Vigil
7:00 p.m.
Tuesday July 21, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00 a.m.
Wednesday July 22, 2015
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Miles City, MT 59301
Rite of Committal
following funeral
Wednesday July 22, 2015
Calvary Cemetery
Miles City, MT 59301
Kathy Cotton-Windham says
Our dear Aunt Louise will be missed. She helped raise a beautiful family. I have wonderful childhood memories of summers at the Donnelly’s with all my cousins in Miles City.☀️
Blessings of peace and healing go out to all.
Love and Prayers,
Kathy, Tommy and Family
Pat Cotton & Marty Betzing says
We will miss our sister-in-law Louise. She was a loving wife and mother. Louise has endured some tough times these past few years with loss of her husband and three children and confinement in nursing facilities. Our condolences to her children and grandchildren who provided her with love and care though her life and even the difficult times.
Keith and Barb Hoover says
So sorry to hear of Louise’s passing. May You find Comfort in God!
Marvin Nelson says
Very sorry to hear about Louise.
Patti (Terhaar) Jesso says
So saddened to hear of your mothers passing. I have so many wonderful memories of the Donnellys and your beautiful family. She is now reunited with her wonderful husband and children she lost much to soon. My prayers are with you all.
Megan Berg King says
Love and prayers to your family. Losing our parents is so hard.
Debbie Weyer says
Deepest condolences Kevin & Lori & boys….. hard to lose someone we love so much, even tho we know they are now free from pain & suffering….. “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, LOVE leaves a memory no one can steal” author unknown.
Patti Green Ireland says
Patti Green Ireland
My condolences to the Donnelly family. I first met your mom when Dianne and I became friends as teenagers. I was always welcomed into the home, offered food, asked to play piano, and loved. Even when Dianne visited Miles City from Boston, I was welcomed almost like a daughter. Mrs, Donnelly was gracious and hospitable at all times. I know you will miss her very much. But I picture her in the arms of her husband in heaven, greeting her completely whole children. I hope this thought gives you comfort.
Kimber Nelson Gebhardt says
Sean and family,
I am very sorry to hear about your mom. I hope your memories will see you all through the tough times. God bless all of you.
Patti (Terhaar) Jesso says
I just wanted to add a note to say, I just loved your mother. She always made us Terhaars feel welcome. Almost like we were one of her own. She was kind, thoughtful, trusting, patient whenever any of us invaded her home. I have wonderful memories of her and your entire family. God bless you all.
Pinky and Ella Mae Pelletier says
Our prayers are with you and your family.
Irene Sloan says
Donnelly Family,
With heartfelt sympathy and kindest thoughts to you. May Louise rest in peace.