Donna Lou Daniels

Donna Lou (Aadsen) Daniels, beloved sister, aunt, grandma, and friend, passed away at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane on July 10, 2025. Donna was born on June 27, 1951, in Kalispell, Montana to Donald and Betty Aadsen. She joined her sister, and being a year apart in age they were often mistaken for twins.

Donna grew up and attended school in Evergreen, until moving with her family to Ronan in 1962. Donna graduated from Ronan High School in 1969. During those years she was a member of the high school band and choir and volunteered her time assisting young children with special needs and directing the children’s choir at her church.

After graduating Donna attended Eastern Montana College in Billings. She returned to Ronan in 1973 and worked at Don Aadsen Ford before opening her gift shop, Pots and Stuff.

Donna married Bruce Bartel, and though divorced, they remained friends through the years.

In 1986 Donna moved to Sandpoint, Alaska, to work in the fishing industry for the next 28 years. She managed the Peter Pan Seafoods office, and the fishermen and their families became her dear friends. She retired in 2014 and returned to Ronan to be closer to her family.

In Ronan she served as the nutrition director at the Mission Valley Senior Center, a job she loved. Donna also loved spending time with her great nephew, Landon, and great niece, Taylor. They had a very special bond. She attended as many of their events as she could but especially enjoyed their softball and baseball games.

She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church and P.E.O.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents and her companion of many years, Don Sophusson.

She is survived by her sister, Ann, and brother-in law, Gordon Henricksen, nephew Eric (Jen) Henricksen, Taylor, Landon, Mason and Sydney, and niece Amanda (Matt) Henricksen. She is also survived by Don’s daughters, Keri (Abas) Soardi, Trish Sophusson, and Kristy (Adam) Ferns all of Vancouver, B.C., and his grandchildren McKenna, Jaidyn, Alia, Olivia, and Callum.

She loved her family and was so proud of them. We love you “to the moon”, Donna.

A memorial service will be held at Faith Lutheran Church on August 2 at 2:00 P.M. Memorials can be made to the Mission Valley Senior Center, 528 Main St SW, Ronan, MT, 59864 or the Ronan Boys and Girls Club, PO Box 334, Ronan, MT, 59864.