Obituary: Donna F. Brien

Donna F. Brien of Havre, 77, passed away due to complications from Parkinson's disease Jan. 9, 2017 at Northern Montana Care Center.

A Rosary will be recited Thursday Jan. 12, at 7 p.m. at the Holland & Bonine Funeral Home in Havre.  A funeral Mass will be held Friday Jan. 13, at 11 a.m. at St. Jude's Catholic Church in Havre. Burial will follow at the Highland Cemetery.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements. Please visit Donna's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for her family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Donna was born on June 9, 1939, in Rolla, North Dakota, to Ray and Bertha Lazier. She mostly grew up in St. John, North Dakota, until moving to Havre in 1955 where she attended Havre Central High School.

On Dec. 28, 1957, she married Frank L. Brien at St. Jude's in Havre. Donna was a homemaker most of her life with their two children. She was a volunteer at Northern Montana Hospital along with being an active volunteer at the church. Through her life she was referred to as "Witty" and "Little Bear." She later spent most of her spare time with her grandchildren acquiring the nickname "Maha."

She enjoyed Jeff Gordon and NASCAR racing, NBA basketball, Saturday lunches with her friends, going on trips to North Dakota with her husband to see friends and relatives. She enjoyed having cats in her home throughout the years and had a special cat by the name of "Ivy," who will join her in burial.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Cathy; and her son, Robert Ray, in 1994.

Donna is survived by her husband of 59 years, Frank; daughter, Debbie (Tim) Gomke of Chinook, with grandchildren Justin and Tanner (fiancé Haylie DeHaven); daughter-in-law Diane Brien of Great Falls; grandchildren Michael and Nikki; brother, Jack (Judy) Lazier of Havre; brother, "Pep" (Verna) Lazier of Soap Lake, Washington; along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorials may be sent to the Montana Parkinson's Association, 3509 MacDuff Circle, Billings, MT 59101, or to a person's choice.