Donna Kurtz McDowell

1933 - 2023

In the early morning of July 28th, 2023, Donna McDowell passed away peacefully at home in Florida, where she resided with her daughter and son-in-law. She was 90 years old. She will be lovingly remembered by her children: Marla (husband Steve) and Rodney; sisters, Jean Schultz, and Joan Torno; brothers, Darryl Kurtz, and Dennis Kurtz; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. She now goes to join her 10 siblings: Frances, Veronica, Loretta, Robert, Vincent, Leo, Aquina, Lyle, Carolyn, Jacqueline; and her parents: Henrietta and Peter.

Donna was raised by her mother and father in the small town of Flaxville, Montana and was surrounded by a large family of 14 siblings. After leaving Montana at an early age, she spent over a decade and a half raising her two children in California. She returned to her hometown with her children in 1978 to be closer to her aging parents. After her father passed, she moved back to California for a few years and eventually made her way to the state of Washington to help her sister, Carolyn, manage a motel. She stayed in Washington until she retired back to her hometown in the mid-90's. After her daughter was married in 2000, she became a 'snowbird' and spent every winter with her daughter and son-in-law in Florida, and the rest of the year alongside her son, Rodney, in Flaxville. In 2019 she permanently moved in with her daughter due to her declining health.

Donna had a vibrant personality and was known for her sense of humor, quick wit, her love of holiday decorating, and always speaking her mind. As a mother she was generous, loving and kind with an empathetic nature. She always seemed to be the life of the party and had the uncanny ability to make people laugh wherever she went. She noticed the little things in life that most take for granted, and when she said "that's beautiful", you knew she felt that to her core. Donna’s favorite past time was gardening, and she took great pride in her yard and the abundant flowers she grew each year. She loved beautiful things and had a keen eye for decorating. She was also very passionate about fashion and could name top designers and know what was in or out of style for every season. She had exquisite taste in clothes and when she dressed up, complete strangers would often compliment her outfits and comment on how beautiful she looked. She was a remarkable woman who fearlessly faced numerous health and life challenges with determination and a smile.

Donna loved her children above all else... but she also loved standing in the rain, angels, Christmas, Halloween, flowers, gardening, candles, reading, true crime books and movies, scary movies, fashion, birds (red robins, hummingbirds, red cardinals), butterflies, playing cards, bingo, firm mattresses, fairy lights, 'her stuff', elephants, nature shows, veterinary shows (Dr. Pol), Rod's dogs, Marla's cats, babies, birdhouses, big jewelry, her chair, Marla's mermaid tails, chili rellenos, margaritas, Tiki Docks restaurant, QVC, white shoulders perfume, shoes, purses, clothes, garage sales, thrift stores, home grown tomatoes, peaches, McClintock apples, double pineapple pizza, slot machines, poker machines, refrigerator magnets, Disneyworld, miniature golf, hash browns, bubble wrap, Milky Ways, Coco the movie and yard blow up decorations.

“We know that we can’t have you but we’re happy knowing that the angels have finally got you back. Goodbye to a wonderful woman and a beautiful mother.”

Family and friends are welcome to attend the memorial service, which will be held on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at 1:00 PM in the Flaxville Barn on Main Street. Visit everloved.com for more details. In lieu of giving flowers, the family asks that those who are able instead donate to the Myakka Elephant Ranch Inc. 1767 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. #270 Bradenton, FL 34211.

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