Obituary - Jackie Ellen Donoven

Jackie Ellen Donoven of Salt Lake City, Utah, 79, died Sunday, March 14, 2021, at her residence in the Coventry Assisted Living Center. She had been in declining health related to Corticobasal Syndrome which was diagnosed in 2015. Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be scheduled in Montana for a later date.

Jackie was born November 2, 1941, in Kalispell, Montana, to Jack and Ellen Merle (Krantz) Bullman. Following the death of her father in 1942, she moved with her mother, brother Fred, and grandfather Emil Krantz to Bremerton, Washington, where her mother was employed in the Naval Shipyards during World War II. In 1947 her family moved to Fresno, Montana, where she attended school in Kremlin, graduating as Salutatorian in 1959. She met her future husband, Earl, in grade school, discovered they were born the same day, and later dated while in school. Her younger brother Terry Schend also shared their birthday.

November 12, 1960, she married Earl Neil Donoven in Havre at Saint Jude's Catholic Church. The couple made their home in the Kremlin area and had four children.

Jackie was a homemaker and farmwife. During the early years at the farm, she raised chickens, vegetables, and baby boys. After moving to town in 1968, Jackie added tending to flowers, a yard, and later a baby girl to her routine. She was always anywhere her children were; sporting events, concert performances, trips to the doctor, and endless other places. After her step-father's passing in 1981, she created a home for her mother next to her in Kremlin.

Looking for something new, she and Earl owned and operated the Havre Short Stop from May 1993 until July 1995.

In 1997, they moved to Havre when Earl retired early due to illness.

Jackie relocated to Salt Lake City in 2015 to be near her daughter, Stacey, and for medical support for her disease.

Jackie enjoyed baking, decorating, gardening and shopping. She always made sure there were plenty of cookies, cakes, candies and decorations for the holidays. Jackie took great pride in meticulously maintaining her appearance, home and yard. She loved both shopping for, and wearing, her clothes. 

She was preceded in death by her father, Jack Bullman, in 1942; brother Fred Bullman in 1980; step-father, Charlie Schend in 1981; husband, Earl Donoven in 2002; mother, Merle Schend in 2005; and son Jerry Donoven in 2016.

Jackie is survived by her son Greg Donoven, and David Roque, of Oakland, California; son Dean Donoven, and Dora Wirtzberger, of Havre; daughter, Stacey Stenseth of Sandy, Utah; brother Terry Schend, and Cindy Hileman of Kalispell; sister-in-law Mary Bullman of Helena; grandchildren, Haily Donoven of Havre; Chelsea and Joe Sohm and children Stetson, Luke and Kennedy of Hingham; Jordy and Haylee Donoven and daughter Hazel of Gildford; Cole Stenseth of Salt Lake City, and Morgan Stenseth of Sandy; and family members Janine Donoven of Havre, Dana Donoven of Kremlin, and Rich Stenseth of Sandy. 

The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to their favorite charity in Jackie's name.