Donna (Desautel) Staus

Donna Marie Staus went peacefully to the Lord on January 23, 2015.

Donna was born July 19, 1926, in Bottineau, ND, the daughter of Oliver and Nettie DeSautel. She graduated as an R.N. from St. Michael's School of Nursing in Grand Forks, ND. Donna met the love of her life, Stan Staus, while caring for him in the hospital. In August of 1948 they married, and shortly after moved to Billings, MT.

In Billings, she worked at Deaconess Hospital as the Night Nurse Supervisor for 6 years. She retired from nursing in order to devote herself to her husband, three children, and three grandchildren.

She enjoyed cooking large family dinners and always had a snack ready for anyone who might stop by, including the neighbor children who would come looking for cookies. Donna, her husband, and several friends started Central Heights Little League, where she enjoyed watching her husband coach and her children and grandchildren play. She had a great love of music and enjoyed playing her piano for family and friends.

Survivors include her son Craig (Rosie) of Billings, her daughter Mary (Ray) of Ohio, and her son Paul (Jonella) of Billings.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her mother and father; and her brother Norman DeSautel.

Donna was an incredible wife, mother, grandmother, neighbor and friend. She was an example of dignity, poise, and kindheartedness all of her life. We will miss her dearly.

Visitation will be held 6-8 p.m. Thursday, with a Funeral Mass 11 a.m. Friday at St. Pius X Catholic Church. Committal will take place in Calvary Cemetery.