Donna Horel

Donna Horel

Donna Horel, 84, a south Rudyard area farm wife, who loved antiques, sewing, art and gardening, died Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, from respiratory problems at the Benefis East Medical Center in Great Falls.

Donna B. Silvernale was born May 6, 1927, at Big Sandy, Mont. She was one of three children born to Frank and Ollie (Campbell) Silvernale. Donna graduated from Box Elder High School in 1945, then continued her education at Northern Montana College in Havre. After receiving her teaching certificate, she began teaching at various country schools in the Havre and Big Sandy communities.

Donna married Schuyler "Shy" Horel on March 18, 1949. They farmed and ranched south of Rudyard and raised a family of two. The Horels were married 56 years when Shy died on June 9, 2005. Donna remained on the family farm and enjoyed relatively good health until her recent hospitalization.

She was preceded in death not only by her husband and parents, but also by her sister, Mary Sanchez.

Survivors include her son, Joe (Marsha) Horel of Rudyard; her daughter, Lynne (Gary) Thuesen of Columbia Falls; four grandchildren, Kim (Devin) Grammar of Chester, Jason (Sarah) Horel of Rudyard, Nick (Lindsay) Thuesen of New York, and Laurie (Dan) Grennan of New Zealand; four great-grandchildren, Trevin, Adam, Dane, and Kingslee; her brother, William Silvernale of Chinook; her special friend, Ken Han of Inverness; and several nephews and nieces.

At Donna's request, no formal services will be held. Cremation is being finalized by Rockman Funeral Chapel of Chester. Private burial of ashes is being planned for a later date at the Big Sandy Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to the Liberty County Library in Chester or a charity of the donor's choice.