Donna Mae Hillestad
Donna Mae Hillestad, 84, passed away peacefully at her home in Brentwood, MO on April 19, 2020, after a long battle with aggressive rheumatoid arthritis. She was born April 12, 1936 to Ethel (Lindholm) and James Smith, Superior, WI, and predeceased by sisters Janice Jabbour and Bonnie Young, and by brother James Allen Smith. She is survived by her husband of sixty-one years, John Morris Hillestad, children Jeanne Staab (Robert), Thomas Hillestad, and James Hillestad (Elizabeth), and grandchildren Gregory Staab, Cristina Staab, Emily Hillestad and Nicholas Hillestad.
Donna attended Superior Central High School in Superior, Wisconsin. She worked for Western Electric in Duluth, MN for 5 years. She and John moved to Brentwood, MO, in 1962, where she spent several years raising her young children before going back to work. She worked for the City of Brentwood for nearly ten years as a receptionist at the recreation center, and then worked for Southwestern Bell/ATT for over ten years. She enjoyed family vacations in Wisconsin each summer. Donna was an avid reader, and she loved a good mystery. Above all, she loved her family, and she will be sorely missed.
Services: A joint visitation and funeral Mass for John and Donna will be held Monday, September 20, 2021 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, 2618 S. Brentwood Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63144. Visitation at 8:45 a.m. with the Mass to follow at 9:30 a.m. Interment Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Donna’s name to the Arthritis Foundation.
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Jeff Monaghan says
September 16, 2021 at 9:35 amThank you, Donna, for your family and faith. Your strength, humor, consistent and unconditional love touched me, as your nephew. I so appreciate the food and fun we all had when we were together. You always loved Grampa and Grandma (Morris and Margaret) and saw the good in everyone. I know in my heart your love of Jesus Christ and God the Father is the reason we experience the Holy Spirit in your family. You gave us a glimpse of heaven! Bless you!
Nancy Monaghan Beery says
September 16, 2021 at 12:56 amWhat a beautiful Aunt and lovely woman. May prayers find you comfort and love.
Jill Quinlan says
May 4, 2020 at 3:10 pmWe are so saddened by your loss. Donna was a lovely woman, warm and always so kind. May happy memories help to ease your sorrow at this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you who loved her so much. May she rest in peace.
The Quinlan-Briceño family
Tony Curran says
April 28, 2020 at 2:21 pmOur deepest sympathy to Jeane and all the family. What a beautiful picture of Donna.
May she rest in peace.
Aine & Tony – Sligo, Ireland