Elsie Mero Dondanville

Elsie Mero Dondanville passed away Sunday, September 8, 2013 at Hot Springs Health and Rehab. She was born September 15, 1911 at the farm home south of Kalispell, MT. She attended Demersville Grade School, and Flathead County High School graduating from the Normal Training Course in 1929. She began her teaching career at Trail Creek in Flathead County on her 18th birthday in 1929. The next year she taught at South Devon in Toole County. She attended Normal College at Dillon, MT (Western Montana College) graduating with an elementary lifetime certificate. She taught in the rural schools of Flathead County at Brocken, Demersville and Hodgson.

On August 2, 1944 she married Lavern G. Dondanville of Lonepine. Elsie continued teaching at Lonepine and Camas Prairie Schools, and later did substitute teaching at Hot Springs.

She continued to live on the ranch after Lavern passed away on September 28, 1972.

She was the last remaining Charter member of the Town and Country Extension Home Maker’s Club of Hot Springs/Lonepine. She had served on the Hot Springs Library Board and was an active member of the Friends of the Library. Elsie was an ardent supporter of 4-H programs and had acted as a judge for 4-H demonstrations and 4-H foods at the Sanders County Fair for many years. She belonged to the Plains Tops Club #202. She was secretary of the Sanders County Women’s Club, and also to the Hot Springs Presbyterian Ladies Aid. As a member of the Presbyterian Church she served as an Elder, Deacon, and Treasurer of the Presbyterian Women for 32 years. Few people can say they have belonged to an organization for over sixty years. She had been an integral part of all Presbyterian Women events, never missing a meeting. The Hot Springs Presbyterian Women hosted a luncheon in her honor for her impressive dedication.

At the 1998 Sanders County Fair she was honored as Citizen of the Year, and at the 60th Homesteader’s Parade she was chosen as the Grand Marshal. Elsie was a dedicated member of the Grange for over 70 years, having belonged to Flathead Lower Valley, Flathead Pomona, Little Bitter Root, Nyah, Sanders County Pomona, Montana State Grange, and the National Grange. She had held a number of Subordinate, Pomona, and State Grange offices. She installed more Grange officers than any Montana Granger.

Recently Elsie was awarded the Night of Stars 2013 Legacy Award from the University of Montana -Western at Dillon, MT.

Elsie enjoyed traveling, concerts, golf, crafts, bowling, and most sports (especially baseball). Her former students will attest to her passion for baseball. She never lost her sense of humor, and always enjoyed a good story.

Survivors include; step-daughter Helen Hindso, Sheridan, IL; Sisters, Amy Dencer, Forest Grove, OR; Jeannette Mock, Cornelius, OR; as well as a number of nieces and nephews including Lucky and Ann Houser of Hot Springs, and Don and Evelyn Mero of McMinnville, OR, whose wonderful help she was so very grateful the last years of her life.

Funeral Service will be held Saturday, September 14th at 11 am at the Lonepine Community Center with burial to follow at the Murray Memorial Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Sunset Hills Funeral Homes of Plains & Thompson Falls.