Donna Lou Wallace

Donna Lou Wallace, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and dear friend, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, surrounded by the same deep and abiding love she had given so freely throughout her life.

Donna was born on June 14, 1946, in Devils Lake, North Dakota, the second child of Norman and Dallas Hillestad. She grew up surrounded by the love and energy of her siblings — her older sister, Norma, her brothers, Curt and Tim, and her younger sister, Tammy. Her siblings meant the world to her, and the bond they shared lasted a lifetime. Donna was also part of an extraordinary extended family, blessed with 82 first cousins — a fact she loved to boast about with delight and affection. To her, being part of such a large yet close-knit family was not just a point of pride but a cherished part of who she was.

Donna attended Minot High School, where her spirit, creativity, and grace truly began to shine. She was involved in the drama club and performed on stage in the school’s production of Oklahoma. Gordy, ever nearby, signed on as a stagehand for the same production — purely a coincidence, of course… though it may have had something to do with seeing a little more of Donna. Their love story was already taking shape. She also proudly marched as a majorette in the high school band, while Gordy played the drums. During a band trip to Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada, he asked Donna on their very first solo date — a walk to the nearest drugstore to get a soda pop. They got so lost in conversation that the entire band was left waiting on the bus for them to return so they could head back to Minot. That moment marked the beginning of a love story that would span more than six decades.

Donna and Gordy were married on June 18, 1965, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Minot, North Dakota. Just weeks before her passing, they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary — a beautiful testament to a lifetime of commitment, devotion, and shared joy. She loved her husband with her whole heart, and their bond was an inspiration to all who witnessed it.

Together, Donna and Gordy were blessed with four children: Darcie Wallace Ell (married to Kevin Ell), Stacie Wallace Sharp (married to Matthew Sharp), Jamie Wallace Vigil (married to Gabriel Vigil), and Joshua Wallace (married to Sara Lippert Wallace). She was a proud mother whose love and guidance profoundly shaped the lives of her children in lasting ways.

Donna had many roles in her lifetime — from her early jobs at Sears and First National Bank to her time as Dr. Hankins’ receptionist, later a stretch at Stephanie’s Chocolates, and her more than two decades of dedicated work at Boulder Valley Asthma and Allergy Clinic. That time at Boulder Valley Asthma and Allergy became her lifeline — a place where she formed countless lifelong friendships with her co-workers, friendships she cherished and held dear throughout her life. She was always hardworking, dependable, and kind. But her most cherished role — the one that brought her the greatest pride and deepest purpose — was being a wife, a mom, and a grandma.

She was the heart of our family — a woman of steadfast devotion whose quiet strength and unwavering faith shaped not only her life but also those around her. Donna was the unwavering presence and loving force that held everything together. As a mother, she gave her children the gift of unconditional love, quiet strength, and fierce encouragement. She showed us what it meant to care deeply and live fully.

When she became a grandmother to 10 beloved grandchildren, her joy only deepened. She adored each of them beyond words, celebrating their milestones, wrapping them in comforting hugs, and always having something chocolate to offer — her favorite treat to share with them. She loved attending every game, recital, concert, and event they participated in, always cheering the loudest from the sidelines and offering the most enthusiastic encouragement. Her arms were the safest place, and her pride in her family radiated in everything she did. Becoming a great-grandmother brought her even more joy, and she was already preparing her heart for the arrival of her second great-grandchild.

Donna was a woman of many passions. She loved to dance — whether on stage, in the kitchen, or simply when the music moved her. She also loved to read, and one of her favorite daily rituals was reading the newspaper from beginning to end. She was curious, thoughtful, and always eager to learn and connect with the world around her.

Donna lived a life marked by generosity, humility, and love. Whether as a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, or friend, she gave her whole heart to the people around her. She made others feel seen, heard, and deeply loved — a rare and beautiful gift. Her legacy will live on, not only in the family she built but in the countless lives she touched with her kindness and compassion.

Though our hearts are heavy, we are filled with gratitude for her love, her wisdom, her laughter, and the extraordinary example she gave us all.

Thank you, Mom. Thank you for your unwavering love, for your strength and your steadfast faith in each of us, for the family you nurtured, and for the life you so beautifully lived.  

Thank you, Mom, for everything.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, July 21, 2025 at 10:00AM at Faith Community Lutheran Church, 9775 Ute Hwy, Longmont, CO 80504. The service will be live streamed on Faith Community Lutheran Church Facebook page and their YouTube channel. Donna's favorite color was blue, if you'd like to honor her by wearing something blue to her service she would have loved it.