Donna Lorraine (Brinkman) Frieling

We are sad to share with you the passing of our beloved mother and grandma’, Donna L. Frieling. She left us the afternoon of August 21, 2021, due to complications from congestive heart failure. Though we will miss her every day, we will carry her in our hearts, and we know she is at peace joining her husband, Jimmy and her son, Jimmer in eternal rest. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 11, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at St. William’s Catholic Church in Dutton. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Donna Lorraine (Brinkman) Frieling was born September 23, 1934, to Henry and Josephine (Hughes) Brinkman in Havre, Montana the eldest of four children. The family moved to Fort Benton where Donna graduated from Fort Benton High School in 1952 and met her future husband, James Harm Frieling. They married on February 22, 1954, living in Fort Benton for three years and moving to Dutton, MT in 1957. Donna and Jim would live out their lives in Dutton raising their six children, Morris, Daryl, Sherrie, Tracy, Christina, and James “Jimmer.” Donna was a devout member of St. Williams Catholic Church in Dutton where she would worship all of her adult life. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother to her own “kids” and a loving honorary mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother to many more who would enter her home to receive love, kindness, and delicious treats. One need only enter her home and tour the rooms, the walls covered with photos of family and “adopted” family to experience the depth of her love and the love she received in return from so many. Donna is survived by her brother, Howard (Lois) Brinkman of Dolan Springs, AZ; son, Morris (Denae) Frieling of Brea, CA; son, Daryl Frieling of Dutton; daughter, Sherrie (George) Weickum of El Paso, TX; son, Tracy (Shana) Frieling of Gallatin Gateway; daughter, Christina (Scott) Johnson of Dutton; grandson, Tyler (Ally); grandson, Harm (Allie); granddaughter, Ashlee (Aaron); grandson, Eric (Geena); granddaughter, Nikki Rose; grandson, Garet (Kayla); grandson, Zachary (Alex); great-grandchildren, Maresa, Lenox, Kallie, Collin, Grayson, and Kallen; honorary grandchildren, Lanelle Christman, Candace (Christman) Hoerner, and Dylan Givens; many beloved nieces, nephews, and community “adopted family”; and last, but not least, faithful companion, Ollie who brought joy into Donna’s life and who will miss her as much as we do. Donna was preceded in death by her husband, James “Jimmy”; son, James “Jimmer”; parents, Henry and Josephine (Hughes) Brinkman; brother, Don; and her sister, Sharon and husband, Joe Widhalm. The family would like to thank all the wonderful people of Dutton for helping Donna with everyday necessities of life after Jim’s passing; be it rides to church, rides to the doctor or to the Senior Center, visits and phone calls checking on her, grocery runs and drop offs, delivering her mail and packages into the house, and the thousands of other kindnesses that made her last few years a good life. We cannot thank you enough for all you did for her. Finally, the family would like to thank the caregivers from the Great Falls Clinic Hospital, from the ER to the hospital floor. In these trying times we live in, the entire staff went above and beyond to make Donna’s passing as comfortable as they could for both Donna and the family able to be there. We are eternally thankful to you for your kindness and compassion. Donations in Donna’s name may be made to St, William’s Catholic Church, Dutton Senior Center, Dutton Public Library, or a charity of the donor’s choice.