Donna Jean Mikkola Rolfson
courtesy photo
Donna Rolfson
POLSON — Donna Jean Mikkola Rolfson was born on April 20, 1944, to Auna Nordling Mikkola and Filmore John Mikkola. She died on Jan. 28, 2014, from complications of lupus and pneumonia at what she called “her second home,” St. Joseph’s Medical Center. Donna always had a smile, a laugh and a sassy comment. She joked that she purchased the second floor wing of the hospital. Donna said she and God had a good relationship, and she was at peace with the Lord. A very spiritual person, Donna was comforted by her Lord’s presence in her life. She was so grateful for the compassionate staff at St. Joseph’s, including John Payne.
Donna was born in Great Falls, but shortly thereafter her parents moved to Butte. The Mikkolas owned the Treasure Trail Motel on Harrison Avenue. Donna was an only child, her dad’s second hand and his helper and her mother’s little girl, the one she always wanted. Donna characterized her mother as a calm, sweet, loving woman and said her dad was a renegade. Donna said she was a combination of her parents.
Donna grew up a true Butte girl and was very proud of her Butte heritage. She attended Longfellow Grade School and graduated from Butte High School in 1963. In high school, Donna was a speed skater, she ran track, played basketball and was in the trampoline club. She was involved in everything, a theme that continued throughout Donna’s life as did great hair, an eye for fashion and a sassy attitude.
With her great zeal and love of life as a series of adventures, Donna was off to college at the University of Idaho in Pocatello. She completed her cosmetology degree but also fed her curiosity and intellect with communication, psychology and accounting classes.
Donna loved the sun and working on her tan.
After college, “with itchy feet,” Donna moved to San Francisco and lived a block away from Haight-Ashbury, the epicenter of the flower children. “What an adventure,” she said. It was also the height of women’s liberation, and Donna joined other women in burning their bras. Donna learned early from her dad that a woman had the ability to do anything she wanted to do.
After the San Francisco adventure, Donna traveled with a friend to Jacksonville, Florida. She taught at Riverside Hair Academy in Florida and remained close to her own instructor, Irene Forbes. She remembered her students fondly and enjoyed her time in Florida. Donna had a favorite boyfriend there, a Can-Am racecar driver and loved traveling all over with him and his racecar.
After Florida, Donna backpacked in Alaska before her father’s ill health called her back to Montana to help her mother and eventually to help her mother retire. The adventure continued when Donna moved to Missoula and taught at Mr. Richard’s Hair Academy. While in Missoula, she met the love of her life, Marcus Vern Rolfson. She and Marc married in 1973, and she moved to Polson. Donna said she and Marc fit together like a perfect pair of gloves. Tragically Marc died in 1979.
Donna remained in Polson and managed various businesses she and Marc owned. Prior to her life-changing ski accident in 2004, Donna enjoyed snow skiing. She also showed Tennessee Walking horses earlier in her life.
A very talented artist, Donna enjoyed painting and woodcarving as well as sewing. She was a member the Sandpiper Gallery and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Donna was a board member for the Sandpiper Gallery, the Lake County Youth Home, the Lake County Festival of Trees, supported the Polson Humane Society and contributed to many Mission Valley groups.
A lifetime member of Beta Sigma Phi, Donna held all the offices in her group, served as Beta city council president and was chosen Beta sweetheart and woman of the year numerous times.
In her working life, Donna was a beautician at the Hair Port with Dana Blush until she retired. She enjoyed her clients, who she considered friends, and her colleagues.
Donna was an Educational Foundation for Foreign Studies coordinator in Northwest Montana for over 20 years and on the EF state board for five years. She visited more than 10 different countries through and received the Mission Valley Citizen Award for her work with EF students. She also was honored with a 1999 Mission Valley Salutes award for her service to youth.
Donna was preceded in death by her mother and father, her husband Marcus Vern Rolfson and her infant daughter Tamarra.
Donna is survived by her EF student Sussi (Claus) Dahstrand, whom Donna considered like a daughter, and family; cousin Sandra (Bruce) Blotkamp and her children, Tonya (Dan) Neuman and family and Tiffany (Al Wellman) and family, Heather Smith and Chad Blotcamp; cousins Phillip Smith, Scottsdale, AZ, Janice Smith-Kasson, Tempe, AZ; Marcia Rosser, Knoxville, TN.; lifelong friend Gwen Nelda Bones, Ronan; pets Sisu and Zipper; also friends from the Sandpiper Gallery and all her special Beta Sigma Phi sisters with whom she’s had a lifelong relationship and considered her Beta sisters as her family.
A celebration of Donna’s life will be held on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014 at 1 p.m. at Grogan Funeral Home and also at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Thursday at 2:15 p.m. Reception will follow the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sandpiper Gallery, the Mission Valley Animal Shelter, the Cantlon Family Youth Home or Dollars for Scholars.
Arrangements are under the direction of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com.
