Dona Parks

Dona D. Parks (73), of Camp Crook, South Dakota, formerly of Billings and Miles City, Montana, passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with complications from surgery in Denver, Colorado at UC Health Hospital on Nov. 19, 2019, with her family by her side.

Dona was born Nov. 2, 1946, in Miles City, and grew up in Kinsey on her parents' ranch. She attended Kinsey School through eighth grade and graduated from Custer County High School in 1964. Following high school, Dona completed Beauty School in Miles City, where she gained a love for unique hairstyles and makeup.

She began working as a beautician and spent the majority of her life as a Mary Kay Cosmetic consultant, where she made many lifelong friends and continued her love for lipstick. While continuing to work, being a mother first, Dona proudly raised her three daughters; Charlie, Tawni, and Jaci. Dona also worked various other jobs, including retail at Corral West and the service industry, where she loved visiting and teasing her customers with her feisty attitude right up to her retirement in 2014. Dona moved multiple times throughout her life, lastly residing in Camp Crook since 2009.

In her younger years, she enjoyed shooting pool, bowling, and playing softball. Dona always loved sports. She had a deep passion for Pepsi, sweets, popcorn, and the game of Baseball, and could tell you the stats of every player and each team's records. Recently, her time outside was limited due to health, but she still enjoyed getting outside and taking care of her yard, planting flowers, and watching the grandkids play. During her last few years, Dona loved seeing her grandchildren, watching TV, and crocheting, especially baby blankets, which she made for the local babies of Camp Crook.

Dona's spunkiness, say whatever she wants, live the way she wants attitude will be greatly missed by all. She was a strong woman, though she experienced many hardships she always faced the world with her chin held high, and we are very saddened to have her leave us so soon.

Dona is survived by daughter Jacalynn Parks (Jake) Miller; daughter Tawni (Ryan) Cordell and 3 grandchildren Kimber, Kynlee, and Barrett; granddaughter Kailynn (Eric) Cordova and 2 great-granddaughters, Charlie and Madisyn; grandsons Aarren and Zach Aiken. She was preceded in death by daughter Jeanette "Charlie" Atwater; brother Dennis Hockett; brother Buck Lebie; mother Alice Lebie; and father Donald Lebie.

Graveside service will be held in Forsyth, Montana on Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. with Stevenson & Son's Funeral Home, and a Celebration of Life will be held Dec. 7 in Camp Crook, South Dakota from 2-4 p.m.