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Donna Lea Downs Watts

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Birth	:	15 Jun 1937 Helena, Lewis and Clark County, Montana, USA
Death	:	3 Aug 2020 Helena, Lewis and Clark County, Montana, USA
Burial	:	Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Helena, Lewis and Clark County, USA
Coordinate	:	46.6151886, -112.0993042
Plot	:	Columbarium W-1, Niche C-14
Description	:	Donna Lea Downs Watts, 83 years young went home on Monday morning August 3, 2020. She passed peacefully to the place that Jesus has prepared for her. Donna was born on June 15, 1937 to Ruth Ensley and Joe Downs in Helena MT. She had a loving family, Brother Joe, sisters Mary “Zoe” and Ruth “Ellen”. Donna was the youngest and she came away with a loving, grateful heart and soul. She attend schools in Helena, May Butler, Central and Helena High, until she graduated with the class of “55”. She participated in the... Read More	Donna Lea Downs Watts, 83 years young went home on Monday morning August 3, 2020. She passed peacefully to the place that Jesus has prepared for her. Donna was born on June 15, 1937 to Ruth Ensley and Joe Downs in Helena MT. She had a loving family, Brother Joe, sisters Mary “Zoe” and Ruth “Ellen”. Donna was the youngest and she came away with a loving, grateful heart and soul. She attend schools in Helena, May Butler, Central and Helena High, until she graduated with the class of “55”. She participated in the marching band (drums) and chorus. Both brought her great joy. She attended college in McMinnville OR, where she also participated in the marching band. She met Boyd Max Watts. “He picked me up at 6th & Main” she said with a smile many times. They were married September 14, 1956 in Moorhead, MN. During their marriage they spent time in Florida, where Max deployed to Korea, and later in South Carolina, where Max’s family was. He was the youngest of 14. Donna was surrounded by his siblings, and many nieces & nephews. During his military deployment, she often told of loading up all the kids in her car and heading out to the swimming hole. Great fun for her. Max and Donna had four children, Bret (Sherri) Watts, Joe (Wendy) Watts, Grif (Pam) Watts and Beth Watts. In 1968, they returned to Montana, four kids in tow and began a new chapter in their lives, close to her family. Donna worked at the Montana Highway Patrol and for the Helena School District. She loved the kids and grandkids, more than anything. Traveling was a close second, day trips in the Fiat with the top down and winters spent in Arizona. She also loved the snow and had wonderful stories of her childhood home on South Rodney. It seems she spent her childhood sledding and ice skating with her best friend “Gracie”. Stories of fishing in a little boat on Echo Lake with her dad, swimming in the hot springs of the Broadwater Natatorium. All fond memories to her, and great stories. She is preceded in death by her Beloved Mother, Ruth Ensley Downs Clark and Father Joe Downs. Siblings Joe, Ruth “Ellen” and Mary “Zoe”. Husband Boyd “Max” Watts and Daughter Ruth Elizabeth “Beth” Watts. She is survived by sons, Grif & Pam Watts, Joe & Wendy Watts, Bret & Sherri Watts. She is also survived by her beloved nieces, Julie Greve, Stephanie Nelson, & Zoe Anne Bushilla. Grandchildren Billy Joe Watts, Christopher (Carmen) Watts, Johnny (Katie) Watts, Christina Dunn, Austin Diaz, Connie (Tony) Schreckengust, Jessica (Mathew) Dyrdahl, Joshua, Sarah, Tayeler & Ethan Diaz and dozens of great grandchildren. Donna touched many lives across the country, across the generations, and across her 83 years with us, she will live on forever in our hearts. A Memorial Service celebrating Donna’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, August 7th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A coffee and cookie reception will follow the service in the social hall at the funeral home. Burial will follow the service at the Montana State Veteran’s Cemetery at Fort Harrison. Published by Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, Helena, Montana on August 4, 2020 (Thanks for Find A Grave member Judyvv, #46986773, for the plot location)

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Donna Lea Downs Watts's memorial?
Donna Lea Downs Watts's memorial is located at: Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Helena, Lewis and Clark County, USA.
When did Donna Lea Downs Watts death?
Donna Lea Downs Watts death on 3 Aug 2020 in Helena, Lewis and Clark County, Montana, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Donna Lea Downs Watts's memorial?
Latitude: 46.6151886
Longitude: -112.0993042

Family Members:

Parent

Joseph Wendell “Joe” Downs Sr.

(1899 - 1955)

Ruth Lamoine Ensley Clark

(1910 - 2005)

Spouse

Boyd M “Max” Watts

(1933 - 2015)

Siblings

Mary Zoe Downs Stephenson

(1925 - 1987)

Ruth Ellen Downs Hartz

(1925 - 1966)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Helena, Lewis and Clark County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6151886, -112.0993042

2. Montana Medal of Honor Grove
Helena, Lewis and Clark County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6227300, -112.0956300

3. Fort William Henry Harrison Cemetery
Helena, Lewis and Clark County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6227000, -112.1103000

4. Calvary Cemetery
Lewis and Clark County, USA
Coordinate: 46.5997009, -112.0714035

5. Home of Peace Cemetery
Helena, Lewis and Clark County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6152992, -112.0500031

6. Benton Avenue Cemetery
Helena, Lewis and Clark County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6045265, -112.0415497

7. Lewis and Clark County Poor Farm Cemetery
Helena, Lewis and Clark County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6235460, -112.0383316

8. Saint Peters Episcopal Cathedral Columbarium
Helena, Lewis and Clark County, USA
Coordinate: 46.5925598, -112.0400925

9. City Cemetery (Defunct)
Helena, Lewis and Clark County, USA
Coordinate: 46.5896660, -112.0360010

10. Cathedral of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary
Helena, Lewis and Clark County, USA
Coordinate: 46.5902550, -112.0339480

11. Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Lewis and Clark County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6293983, -112.0171967

12. Forestvale Cemetery
Helena, Lewis and Clark County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6563988, -112.0361023

13. IOOF Cemetery
Helena, Lewis and Clark County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6535873, -112.0311966

14. Lewis and Clark County Cemetery
Helena, Lewis and Clark County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6558870, -112.0319440

15. Old Saint Marys Catholic Cemetery
Helena, Lewis and Clark County, USA
Coordinate: 46.5958150, -112.0105560

16. Old Catholic Cemetery
Helena, Lewis and Clark County, USA
Coordinate: 46.5779120, -112.0183220

17. Plymouth Congregational Church Columbarium
Helena, Lewis and Clark County, USA
Coordinate: 46.5804000, -112.0109000

18. Arley Burt Pet Cemetery
Helena, Lewis and Clark County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6171000, -111.9945000

19. Silver Creek Road Cemetery
Lewis and Clark County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6994500, -112.0916000

20. Sunset Memorial Gardens
Helena, Lewis and Clark County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6900368, -112.0215759

21. John Montgomery Gravesite
Unionville, Lewis and Clark County, USA
Coordinate: 46.5170000, -112.0845000

22. East Helena City Cemetery
East Helena, Lewis and Clark County, USA
Coordinate: 46.5945220, -111.9146760

23. Silver City Cemetery
Silver City, Lewis and Clark County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7360992, -112.1800003

24. Saint Anns Cemetery
East Helena, Lewis and Clark County, USA
Coordinate: 46.5867004, -111.9013977