Donya Mae Hrapchak

Donya Mae Hrapchak, 82, passed away from natural causes at her Meadowlark Assisted Living home, where she spent the last six years of her life. She previously lived a block away, at 921 3rd Avenue North. Donya was born in Leavenworth, Kansas on October 15, 1939, where her father was warden of the Leavenworth Prison. She spent the early years of her life in Leavenworth, where she acquired a love for horses and riding. When she was around 10 years old, she and her family moved to Sunland, California, in the Los Angeles area. Eventually she met her husband, Wilbert “Bert” Hrapchak, and they were married in 1960. She and Bert adopted two children, Renee in 1963, and Neil, in 1967. Bert worked for UPS and later as a designer draftsman, while Donya held several receptionist and secretarial positions. In 1998, she and Bert moved to Great Falls to live closer to their daughter, Renee, and her family. Living only two blocks from the CM Russell Museum, she and Bert served as docents at the museum. While living in California, Bert and Donya developed a love for everything “western,” and Charlie Russell was at the top of their list. Thus, they thoroughly enjoyed their time at the museum, where they had the opportunity to meet visitors from around the world. Later, Donya came on staff as receptionist, a job which she treasured until she retired in 2012. Donya professed faith as a follower of Jesus Christ and was baptized in the Jordan River while on a trip to Israel. She enjoyed attending Bible Study Fellowship classes with her daughter Renee, and attended First Baptist Church, and later, Crossroads Memorial Church. Her faith in Jesus was central to her life Donya is survived by her daughter, Renee (Jay) Russell and son, Neil Hrapchak, both of Great Falls; three granddaughters, Megan (Aaron) Sybrant of Great Falls, Rebekka (Jonathan) Kuzichev of Spokane, WA, and Madison (Jerod) Prettyman of Hollister, CA; two sisters-in-law, Kathy Erickson of Starr Valley, WY and Mary Nunnaly of San Diego, CA; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Pat Williams and Jeralyn Lehman. No funeral services are planned, although the family is planning a tribute in her honor when they will spread her ashes later this summer. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial gifts be directed to her beloved CM Russell Museum in her memory.