Donna Rose, the prairie rose of 1929, left this earth August 9, 2025. Donna spent over a year battling cancer but was still up for her Pella Church pie at the Richland County Fair and Rodeo just 10 days before she passed. Donna was there with a big smile and as always, beautifully put together and thrilled to see her family.

Donna was born October 10, 1929 to Ben and Vivian Nordwick in the Mineral Bench Community in northeastern Montana. Donna was welcomed by her older brother Bennie and then was followed by siblings Larry, Stan and Sharon. Donna was born just before the stock market crashed and grew up on a farm north of Poplar during the “dirty thirties”. She has written about her life growing up one of five siblings in a two room home that lacked present day amenities like indoor plumbing. In light of the hardships, she had fond memories of playing outdoors with her siblings all year round. Donna attended Mineral Bench school through 8th grade and then attended Poplar High School. She graduated in 1947.

1947 was a big year for Donna Rose. During her senior year, she dated Eddy Ault, who had recently returned from serving in the Army during WW2. They married that fall and were married for 49 years. In addition to the milestones of graduation and marriage in 1947, Donna suffered a significant loss. Her baby brother and childhood best friend, Larry, was killed in an automobile accident.

Donna and Eddy welcomed their first child, Carol, in 1948. Soon to follow were daughters Shirley, Kay and Val. The family was complete when son Bill was born in 1955. Donna often reminded the family when there was a new baby around with a diaper to change that she did not have an “automatic washer” until after her fifth child was born. Donna worked hard raising her children while Eddy worked the farm. Donna described Eddy as a “hard worker” and “good provider” and spoke fondly of the family outings that included boating, waterskiing, skating, and ice fishing. When their children were grown, Donna and Eddy traveled often and had many fishing trips that took them from Canada to Hawaii. As Donna wrote, “We had a good life.”

In 1978, Donna and Eddy moved to Sidney where they built their home and where Donna spent the rest of her days. During her time on the farm in Sidney, Donna hosted countless family meals and brandings. The house was large enough to accommodate big family gatherings and all of Donna’s kids and grandkids have many fond memories of time together on the farm.

1996 was a year that Donna described as “probably the worst year of” her life. She had two significant losses, her husband and her mother. In 1997 Donna started a new chapter in her life. She met weekly for a coffee date with her friends and, as Donna always loved to dance, she started attending dances for seniors. At one of these dance sessions, she met her husband of the past quarter century, Tony Sundsted. Tony and Donna had many years of dancing and travel and just started slowing down in the last couple of years. The two split their time between Sidney and Billings for years until Donna’s health started declining in 2024. Donna decided she wanted to stay put so they lived mostly in the house in Sidney. Tony loved and cared for Donna for 25 years.

In that time they made it to many graduations, weddings, baby showers, and other family gatherings for Donna’s ever growing family.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, husband Eddy, two brothers, her sister and three of her granddaughters.

Donna is survived by her husband Tony, brother Stan and all five of her children. Carol Ault, Shirley (Kenny) Siebenaler, and Bill Ault, all reside in Sidney. Daughter Kay Jennings lives in Missoula MT and daughter Val Cain lives in New Richmond WI. Donna is also survived by thirteen grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, and 4 great, great grandchildren.