Donna Dae Neuheardt

Donna Dae Neuheardt (Martinson) passed away peacefully on August 24, 2025, surrounded by family at the age of 81 years old. Donna was born November 18, 1943, in Miles City, Montana to Betty and Walt Martinson. Shortly after her birth, her family moved to Florida where her father was stationed in the U.S. Navy. She returned to Montana around the age of 2 years old. At this time, her family settled in Billings, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Donna attended Fratt Elementary and Central Catholic High School where she met her high school sweetheart and life partner, Russ Neuheardt. The two later wed on May 9, 1961, and had three beautiful children: Rod, Kelli, and Scott.

Donna spent part of her life as a stay-at-home mom caring for her children and providing daycare for her nieces and nephews. At the age of 35, Donna began her career with Gallenkamp Shoes at West Park Plaza, which was later bought by Payless Shoe Source. She remained working for Payless until her retirement in her early 70’s. Donna was incredibly knowledgeable on shoes and loved bringing home new shoes for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren to enjoy and was always elated to help others find the perfect pair for themselves. Outside of her career, Donna had a love for working in her beautiful back yard filled with many types of flowers and a vegetable garden. She and her husband and family spent time making salsa and canning pickles from their garden each year and found gratification in sharing their canned goods and vegetables with others.

Donna was a woman of strong faith and a devout Catholic. She never missed Sunday mass or mass on Holy Days of Obligation. Upon the loss of her husband in 2022, Donna found continued comfort and community at church and began attending daily mass. She also contributed her delicious baked goods to church functions and participated in adopting families with her daughter and granddaughter over the holidays to supply food and gifts to those in need. Donna was a steadfast member in a prayer chain community and spent her days praying the rosary and praying for those in need. At the time of her death, Donna had an ongoing notebook with a long list of individuals she was praying for, along with children in third world countries and the children of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, to name a few. She set a great example for those around her in showing the true meaning of being a disciple of Christ. Along with her strong faith, Donna was a true patriot of her country. She was a strong supporter of the American military and veterans alike and proudly flew her American flag on the front of her house.

Donna was the matriarch of her family and led with love, wisdom, and faith in guiding her loved ones throughout her life. She was not only the blessed mother to 3 children, but the grandmother to 12 grandchildren, and the great-grandmother to 4 great-grandchildren. She also had many other children in her life who referred to her as “Grandma Donna” and loved them all as her own. Donna prioritized family and loved getting together for holidays and birthdays. She also loved planning lunch dates with her extended family and friends, which were later referred to as the “Markuson Luncheons”. Donna regularly spoke of how much she loved her family and how blessed and fortunate she was to have the loving family that she did. She found great joy in spending time with her loved ones, even if it was a quick visit during the week to watch Matlock or time after church to enjoy cheese, crackers, summer sausage, and coffee together. Donna spent many of her evenings and weekends attending sporting events for her grandchildren and later, her great-grandchildren. She also attended many choir events for her great-granddaughter and even got to enjoy time in Texas and Colorado visiting her children and grandchildren over the years. She will be greatly missed for her infectious laugh and smile, her loving demeanor, and her true love and acceptance of others.

Donna is survived by her 3 children - Rod (Kathleen) Neuheardt, Kelli (Berry) Roberts, and Scott (Stephanie) Neuheardt; 12 grandchildren- Andrew (Sarah) Roberts, Joshua Roberts, Taylor (Trever) Chase (Roberts), Caitlin Neuheardt, Anna Neuheardt, Joe Neuheardt, Margaret Neuheardt, Pete Neuheardt, Cecelia Neuheardt, Brigid Neuheardt, Zach Neuheardt, and Riley (Bryce) Agler; 4 great-grandchildren – Ally Schlepp, Trace Chase, Tripp Chase, and Teague Chase; her two sisters- Debbie Turner and Vickie Spelman; and many other friends and family, whom she cherished. She is preceded in death by her husband, Russ Neuheardt; her parents, Betty and Walt Martinson; and her brothers, Bruce and Jerris Martinson.

A vigil with the recitation of the Rosary will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary. Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 3rd, 2025, at St. Thomas The Apostle Church. Rite of committal will be at Holy Cross Cemetery following mass. A lunch gathering will be held in celebration of Donna’s life at St. Thomas the Apostle Church following the burial.