Donna Lou Ward

September 27, 1932 - September 18, 2018

Donna Lou Ward, age 85 of Glendive, Montana passed away on Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at her home in Glendive. Cremation has taken place and no services are planned at this time. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with arrangements. Donna was born on September 27, 1932 in Rolla, North Dakota to William and Elsie (Pflugardt) Guderjahn. She was raised and educated in Rolla and graduated from Rolla High School with the class of 1951. After high school Donna moved to Washington where she was united in marriage to James Shafer on April 13, 1953 and to this union one daughter was born. Jim and Donna moved around the country for a couple of years while he was in the United States Army. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army they moved to Watford City, North Dakota where Jim worked in the oil industry while Donna was a stay at home mom. In 1972 they purchased the Garfield Hotel in Jordan, Montana, which they owned for about five years before they sold it. They spent one season shearing sheep before moving back to Rolla where they built a farmstead from scratch and raised pigs until Jim passed away in 1985. Donna later reconnected with an old friend, James Ward and they were married on May 8,1987. They later moved to Williston, North Dakota for a couple of years then to Glendive in 2004 where they enjoyed their retirement. James passed away in 2015 and Donna remained in Glendive until her passing. Donna enjoyed crocheting, refinishing furniture, arts and crafts, playing cards and computer games, and bowling. She was proud of her yard and her flower garden and always took pride in having an orderly and clean house. She worked hard side by side with her husbands and learned how to be skillful and self sufficient. Her quick wit made it easy to banter back and forth with those equally as clever. Donna was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, James Shafer and James Ward; one brother, Leslie Guderjahn and one sister Agnes Bush. Donna is survived by her daughter, Marilyn (Harvey) Uthaug of Jordan; two granddaughters, Mandy (Jaime) Sharp of Hailey, Idaho and Amber (Traver) Hunter of Jordan; four great grandchildren, Jaiman Sharp, Story Sharp, Kooper Hunter and Tanner Hunter; her step family, the Wards and numerous nieces and nephews. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.