Donna J. Richard, 96, passed away due to natural causes at her residence on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.  A viewing will be held from 4:00 until 5:00 p.m. onWednesday, April 29, 2026, at Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at Van Orsdel United Methodist Church with Pastor Carl Ellis officiating.   Burial will take place in Highland Cemetery.  Donna's family has suggested memorial donations be made to Van Orsdel United Methodist Church or to Intermountain Children's Home in Helena.  Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.

Donna was born on August 20, 1929, on her grandparents' farm outside of Antler, North Dakota, to George and Lula (Howery) Aitchison.  She spent her first five years on the farm, and the family then moved to Dunseith, where Donna started school.  Following her high school graduation, Donna married Gerald "Jerry" Richard on December 8, 1947, in Baker, Oregon.  The couple moved quite a few times in the early years due to Jerry's work with the railroad, finally ending up in Great Falls for six years, and then settling in Havre until their retirement.  There, they raised their two children and Donna worked at Pay n Pac, and then at the ASCS office.  After retirement, Jerry and Donna spent winters in Arizona.  He passed away in 1999.

Donna was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, & great-grandmother, who loved yardwork, knitting hats and scarves for children, and prayer shawls, crocheting for family and friends.  Donna spent a great deal of time on the Eagles Auxiliary Drill Team where she was Captain, and she started and served as captain on the Mixed Drill Team.  Both teams received many trophies over the years.  She also served many years as an auxiliary officer, and she was truly saddened when the Eagles Club closed.  Donna also loved camping, and riding snowmobiles and motorcycles; and horseshoes was her game.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry in 1999; son, Mark Richard in 2016; parents, George and Lula Aitchison; and brother, John (Thelma) Aitchison.

Donna is survived by her daughter, Debby (Wayne Marsland) Joy of Havre; grandchildren Ryan (Dollie) Joy of Havre, Erin (Tyler) Fisk of Pocatello, ID, and Tana (Steven) Turville of Havre; great-grandchildren, Roslyn and Peyton Joy; and several nieces and nephews.