LaDonna Etzel
May 14, 1934 ~ February 28, 2014
LaDonna was born in Glendive, Montana on May 14th, 1934 the daughter of Conrad and May (Koehler) Miller. The family lived near Beef Slough, west of Savage, until she was three and then moved three miles north of Savage in the valley. She attended school all 12 years in Savage and graduated in 1952. LaDonna attended the Billings Deaconess Nursing Program of Montana State-Bozeman and graduated in 1955. She worked at the Northern Pacific Hospital in Glendive until she was united in marriage to Harold "Bud" Etzel on November 10, 1956, at First Lutheran Church of Savage. They lived on the farm west of Savage where four daughters were raised. LaDonna moved to Fargo, ND in 2009 and resided at Edgewood Vista and Village. LaDonna died Friday, February 28, 2014 after a short illness with lung cancer.
LaDonna is survived by her four daughters; Melanie (Don) Kuca, of Lincoln, NE, Lynette (Greggory) Coop, of Mora, MN, Carmen (John) Madler, of Raleigh, NC, and Janet (Tim) Koppinger of Fargo, ND; grandchildren, Andrea (Jason) Shambo, Amanda (Micah) Lorenzen, Daniel Kuca, Angela (Grant) Watley, Andrew Coop, Bethany Coop, Brett Koppinger and Jonathan Madler; and 7 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, infant twin sisters; brother, Gene Miller; sisters, Marjorie Hart and Beatrice Burau.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Fresno TexasWe are mourning the loss of your Mom. She was always such a sweet lady during our growing up with you girls. God has taken her home waiting for all of us to meet again in his kingdom. May God bless you girls during this trying time.
Brian and Coral.
Glendive MTAs sorry as we are that your mother is no longer with us, we rejoice knowing she is in her new, Perfect Home. We’ve had time to get used to her not being here, but now we know it is permanent. We loved both of your parents and are still interested in what each of you are up to. Your dad is the one who told fisherman Dean that he could be a fisher of men, when he talked him into LLL. Your mom and I both shed tears at one of the LLL conventions when we all sang “For all the Saints”. She for Bud and me for my mother who had recently died. God bless you all, Penny and Dean.
wikieup AZ
LaDonna was my 12 year classmate in the Savage school. She has been a long time friend as we have kept in contact corresponding with birthday and Christmas cards almost yearly since graduation in 1952. At a time like this we are reminded again that life is but a vapor and our eternal destination rests upon our belief and trust in God. Having lost our son a little over a year ago, my heart is truly burdened for the daughters and their families. I am praying that the Lord will hold you especially close to comfort and strengthen all of you as you walk through this difficult time.
Ft. Worth TexasDear Girls, We are so sorry to hear of LaDonna’s passing. She was strong in her faith and would wish you to be strong and heal as a family. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We wish you well. All our love.
Billings MTLaDonna always had a smile and a kind word. I always enjoyed stopping to visit at her house when we went to Savage, she always made you feel so welcome. I am so sorry for your loss and will keep you in my prayers.
Vero Beach FLI got to know LaDonna when my Mom was living at Edgewood Vista. She always had a smile for everyone. I will never forget her many kindness to my mother. We looked forward to seeing her at Redhawks games. She will be missed.
Soldotna AKThinking of you 4 sisters and your families and hoping happy memories will comfort you. One of my favorite memories is of when we were visiting out at the farm where you had Rex and I got up early and it was just me and Auntie in the kitchen. She was frying chicken for us to take to the 4th of July parade in Sidney and I was eating Cheerios. Love you guys, Laurie
Glendive MTWe appreciated and admired your mother’s life and her faith in Christ. She always contributed to our Bible Studies. We really missed her when she moved to Fargo. God’s peace to you all.
Batavia ILCondolences on the passing of your mother. May her gain of heaven comfort you during your feelings of loss.
What a beautiful picture of your Mom. The loss of ones Mom is Such a tough time. So many good memories but each one is so bittersweet. Knowing that she had a strong faith makes seeing her again a certainty. we had some fun visits with her– lots to talk about, mostly our kids. We will see you this summer. Our love to you all, Jim& Cathy
Janet, Your family is in my prayers.
Fargo I feel so blessed to have known LaDonna . She was an Amazing person who will always have a piece of my heart.
Fargo ND
Our deepest sympathies in the death of your beloved mom and grandmom.
Fort Myers FloridaIt is with great sadness and that I say goodbye to a dear and wonderful friend. My sympathy to you and your family Janet. Praise God we live with a sure and certain hope that we will live again together in heaven.
Janet and family, you are all in my heart and prayers during this time. Rejoice in the fact that she is now with our Lord the Savior and is no longer suffering. God be with you during this difficult time.