Donna Nemitz

Donna Lavern Nemitz, 84, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2020, at Peace Hospice in Great Falls.At her request, no services are planned and her ashes will be taken by her family during warmer weather to a place she designated. She was born on September 4, 1935, in Havre, MT to Pearl and Lester Morgan. Donna was joined by three sisters, Sherry, Bonnie, and Helen and a brother, Lester “Mac.” She married Allan Wood and had two daughters, Patricia and Susan.Donna and Allan were subsequently divorced.She married Warren Nemitz on December 12, 1957, and the two were together for 53 years at the time of his death.Warren had a son, Warren Gene, who joined their union. Warren and Donna had two more children, Bradley and Tami. With a partnership of Donna's business financial sense and Warren's salesmanship experience, they opened Battery Warehouse in 1978.They laid the foundation of operation for the business that continues to this day. Donna will always be remembered for her fierce love of her large family, her love of animals - large and small, her business acumen, her wit, and the way her face lit up when she spoke about the Great Falls Voyager baseball team members who stayed with her for the last seven years.She taught all of us that anything is possible, family is everything, baseball IS the American pastime, music heals your soul, and in everything - have fun. Donna is survived by her sisters, Sherry Palaniuk and Bonnie Reichelt of Coeur d'Alene, ID; brother, Mac Morgan of Plains, MT; her children, Warren Nemitz of Billings, Pat Durlam of Chandler, AZ, Sue Rabidou of Hondo, TX, Brad Nemitz of Ulm, MT,Tami Rains of Great Falls, and their spouses; 12 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her husband, Warren; her parents, Pearl and Lester; sister, Helen Morgan; and her four-legged companions. The family wishes to thank the wonderful volunteers, nursing and caregiver staff at Peace Hospice for their care of Donna during her final journey on this earth.In her memory, donations may be sent to Grace Home Veterans Center, the Great Falls Children's Receiving Home, or to the donor's choice.