Donna Jo Neumiller, age 57, of Wolf Point, MT, passed away surrounded by her family on September 11, 2010 after a long illness at her residence in Wolf Point.
She was born on April 1, 1953 to Ernest and Helen Kunesh, along with her twin sister, Dolly in Glendive, MT. Donna’s younger years were spent in Brockway, Circle, and Ryegate. Her father was a diesel mechanic and her mother was a registered nurse but they lived in farm communities with relatives that either ranched or farmed. Donna became well acquainted with farm animals and farm work and was no stranger to cooking, cleaning, and chores as was the case with most large families in the 50’s. Donna’s father helped organize the Brockway Dairy Day rodeo and Donna worked with him in the arena and was an official time keeper for several years. For the remainder of her life, until she was disabled, she followed the rodeos and was acquainted with many of the riders.
In 1965, the Kunesh family moved to Circle and Donna attended high school there. In 1970, Donna married George Anderson and was blessed with a daughter, Loy Ann, in March 1972. In 1976, Donna met Bob Neumiller while she was living in Circle and managing a clothing store. On April 24, 1977, Bob and Donna were married. They moved to Wolf Point and Donna took on a very challenging role, mother of three until November, 1979, when Darcy was born, and wife of a police chief. At the time, Donna had no idea what police work was and had no idea what a policeman did. It didn’t take long for the officers from the police department, Sheriff’s Department, Highway Patrol, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the FBI to figure out that Donna was an extremely good cook and was also an excellent seamstress. Her quiet, intelligent, and often intimidating demeanor made her a challenge for the officers who are notorious teases. The Neumiller house became the place to go for coffee, goodies, to get their uniforms fixed and patches sewn on, and to visit any time day or night. One new Highway Patrolman from Circle stopped to have coffee with local law enforcement and they told him they just went up to the Chief’s house. He wanted to know if the Chief was a pretty good guy or what. He was told “No, that’s not it; he’s got this real pretty wife that is one heck of a cook.” One officer made some smart remark about Donna’s cooking. A few days later he showed up with two new shirts to put patches and names on. When he got the shirts back they were beautifully done and she had sewn the button holes and sleeves shut so perfectly he could not tell until he tried to put the shirts on! Over the years Donna endeared herself not only to her husband and children but the entire police community and a host of friends that she made. She was a full-time housewife but did many odd jobs as the children grew older and when they went out on their own she worked for the city of Wolf Point at the landfill. She endured many of the tragedies policemen deal with, and took on the job as a foster mother to children whose parents had been killed, jailed, or were simply abandoned with no food, shelter, or clothing. She was a wonderful, caring, hardworking, and no nonsense mother to her children as she cared for them and guided them. When doctors told her she had a terrible and incurable disease that was destroying her lungs and she would only live about two more years, she told her husband, “Well, it looks like I drew the short straw, huh.” She lived two more years than doctors had predicted.
Donna had several hobbies, she was an exceptional seamstress, she enjoyed cooking and when she was in high school she won the Montana State Beef Cook-Off championship. She enjoyed collecting antique squeaker toys, chicken in a basket dishes, and old key chains. She was also good at raising flowers and enjoyed the camping and fishing trips the family used to take when the children were younger. She was a lifelong member of the Women’s Auxiliary and helped organize the local spay and neuter clinic for many years. Her entire life was devoted to her husband, her children, and grandchildren. Despite being in a wheelchair she was able to attend her oldest granddaughter, Alex’s, volleyball games and achieve the highest awards that can be given to an athlete, graduating with honors, and receiving a volleyball scholarship. She was able to see her grandson, Matthew, start basketball and on the day she died, her granddaughter, Kirsten, played her first volleyball game. Donna was able to see Jack Thomas start 1st grade, Trinity start Kindergarten, and Gabriel turn 2.
Donna’s total devotion to her family, her dry sense of humor, her intelligent, no-nonsense approach to any problem, her infinite capacity for love and fantastic courage earned her a special place in the hearts of all her family and friends. She will never be forgotten.
Donna is preceded in death by her parents, Ernie and Helen Kunesh.
She is survived by her husband, Bob, of Wolf Point; son, B.J., of Fairbanks, AK; daughters, Rayna Duenas of Fairbanks, Loy Ann (Jack) Sprague of Wolf Point, and Darcy (Ron) Keiser of Wolf Point; grandchildren, Alexandria Courtney, Jack Thomas Sprague, Matthew, Kirsten, Trinity and Gabriel Keiser, all of Wolf Point, Brandy Neumiller in California, and Trevor Neumiller of Aniak, AK; brothers, Dick Kunesh of Helena, MT, Chuck (Lori) Kunesh of Clarksville, TN, and Tom (Gay) Kunesh of Sidney, MT; sisters, Sue (Frito) Humphrey of East Helena, MT, Nancy (Derrell) Vannoy of Atlanta, IL; and twin-sister Dolly (Buck) Pandis of Great Falls, MT; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; two aunts, Betty Kunesh of Ryegate, MT and Ella Turco of Caldwell, ID; and lifelong friend, Jean Dekker of Circle.
A memorial service will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 15 at the First Lutheran Church in Wolf Point. Cremation has taken place and inurnment will be held at a later date.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.stevensonandsons.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.