Donna R. Crow

Donna Rae (Griffith) Crow, 75, formerly of Baker, Montana, passed away Wednesday, November 24, 2022, at Louisburg Healthcare & Rehabilitation in Louisburg, KS. Burial will take place in the Tuttle Cemetery in Rhame, ND following a celebration of life in June 2023. Final plans will be announced at a later date.

Entering this life on December 31, 1946, in Baker, Donna was the fourth of six children born to Ralph and Margaret (Beadle) Griffith. Her mother often teased Donna that she had to skip her annual date with Ralph to the Fireman’s Ball because of Donna’s arrival on New Year’s Eve.

She grew up in Baker in a house that sat next to Highway 12 and was very close to Baker Lake. Donna often talked about how the lake played a big part in her childhood as did the house next door owned by Dr. Weeks. It seemed like an amazing mansion to a little girl.

Donna felt blessed to grow up in a small town and had pride in Baker and her Spartans. She maintained lifelong contact with her childhood girlfriends. Her favorite summer job was being a life guard at the Baker Pool. Medicine Rocks near Ekalaka was Donna’s favorite picnic location. She loved laying in the sand below the rocks absorbing its warmth while breathing in the pine scented air.

Donna dated Sonny Crow and they were married in Rapid City, SD on June 19, 1964, in a dual ceremony with Donna's sister, Mary Lou and Neal Stanhope. To their marriage were born three sons, Greg, Mark, and Aaron.

Donna and Sonny had the good fortune to raise their boys near their parents and siblings. Holidays were big gatherings spent with Marmarth Crows and Baker Griffiths. Donna had a delicious recipe for dinner rolls that were a staple at holiday gatherings.

Donna and Sonny enjoyed playing cards with friends and family. Her boys have many memories of late nights that involved coffee, desserts, laughter, and denials of cheating at cards. Donna and Sonny also enjoyed dancing and her siblings loved to watch the couple. Donna said Sonny was her perfect dance partner. Donna loved having Sonny take her for long drives looking at homes, ranches, and scenery.

Dementia took Donna from us long before our Heavenly Father called her spirit home. Regardless, her smile and friendly nature enabled her to gain the love of her caretakers at Louisburg Healthcare.

If the success of one's life is defined by knowing you were friends with many, giving your children a solid foundation, and each year growing more deeply in love with the friend you married; mission accomplished, Donna Crow.

Donna is survived by her sons, Greg (Kamla) Crow of Louisburg, KS, Mark Crow of Rosemount, MN, and Aaron Crow of Woodland Hills, CA; six grandchildren, Zachary (Alyce) Crow, Taylor (Brad) Tarras, Jordan Crow, Colton Crow, Hania Crow, and Natasia Crow. Donna was also blessed with five great grandchildren, Jonah Tarras, Lyllia Crow, Aurora Crow, Stella Tarras and Cecilia Crow. Her surviving siblings are Gay (Glenn) Rost and Sally Schuetzle. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Mary Lou Stanhope, Keitha Thompson, and Mike Griffith.

Memorials can be made to Badlands Ministries in Medora, c/o Dengel & Son Morutary, PO Box 669 Louisubrg, KS 66053.