Donna L. LaMore, age 93, of Grand Junction, CO formerly of Chappell, NE passed away peacefully the evening of December 6, 2022, surrounded by her family and dog Sparky. Per Donna’s wishes, a private family burial will take place at the Pleasant View Cemetery north of Lodgepole.  A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. 

 

            Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Services, LLC is in charge of Donna’s care and funeral arrangements.

 

Donna Lee Smith LaMore was born October 14, 1929 to Paul E. and Nellie (Book) Smith in Lodgepole, NE. She attended Lodgepole Public Schools, Stephens College and received her Bachelor’s Degree from Denver University and her Master’s Degree from the University of Northern Colorado.

 

Donna was a school teacher who taught in Wyoming, Nebraska, Utah and Carbondale, CO, where she taught for 25 years. She had many friends in Carbondale and was voted “Woman of the Year” in 1983.

 

In 1990 Donna retired and returned to Chappell, NE to be closer to her father and sister, Maurine. Donna enjoyed spending time with Maurine, her best friend, and her many other friends in Chappell.

 

Donna was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church, serving as an organist and pianist. She was a member of PEO and UMW. She was also a well-known and loved piano teacher.

 

Her last year was spent in Grand Junction, CO to be closer to her granddaughter Landon and grandson Will. She enjoyed being taken on long drives around the Western Slope to see the beautiful scenery as well as driving through the peach orchards of Palisade and getting a peach pie at the local pie stand. She also enjoyed reconnecting with her long-time friends, Rex and Jo Coffman, in Carbondale and with her dear friends the Burns’. She spent her final days in the home of her granddaughter, Landon, where she was given the loving care that she gave others over her lifetime.

 

Donna is survived by her son Joe and his wife Karen LaMore and their son Devon of Kauai, HI; granddaughter Landon and her husband Kelcey Pettit and their children Zachary and Aidan of Grand Junction, CO; grandson Will Inverso of Grand Junction, CO; grandson Cooper Riley of Kearny, NE; granddaughter Jennifer LaMore and family of Idaho; grandson Tom LaMore of Idaho; grandson Brian LaMore and family of Idaho; her beloved dog Sparky; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, whom she deeply loved.

 

Donna was preceded in death by her parents Paul and Nellie, her brother Dick Smith, sister-in-law Earlene Smith, sister Maurine Lydiatt, brother-in-law Jerry Lydiatt, son Jon LaMore, daughter Jan LaMore, and an infant son.