Donna Lou Gannon, whose laughter was as infectious as her love for a well-stitched quilt, took her final bow on October 8, 2024, in Rapid City, SD, after a grand adventure of 82 years. Born on April 21, 1942, in the bustling town of Williston, ND, Donna’s story began as the beloved daughter of Lloyd and Elsa Ferguson, who taught her to live with gusto and left this world before her.
A graduate of Williston High School, Donna was the kind of student who could light up a classroom with her smile, and later, she lit up sales floors and offices with the same radiant energy. She sold dreams in the form of dresses at JC Penney’s, coiffed hair to perfection at a local salon, preserved history at the Fort Union National Park Service, and kept the gears running smoothly as the office manager for Petrolane in Fairview, Montana. But if you asked her, her most cherished roles were those of a great wife to her husband, Frank “Mick” Gannon, and a friend so good, you’d think she had a PhD in companionship.
Donna’s life tapestry wasn’t just made up of work threads; she wove in plenty of joy, too. She could sew and quilt with the precision of a surgeon and the creativity of an artist, and she was known to say, “I like my quilts like I like my jokes—well patched and bound to leave you in stitches!” Her love for the great outdoors was matched only by her enthusiasm for golf, where she swung clubs with the same zest she approached everything in life. Donna’s travel adventures could fill a book, each chapter more laughter-filled than the last.
Her sons, Brent (with his wife Dawnette) and Jeffrey, and daughters, Lisa Marie and Rebecca Ann (alongside her husband Bryce), were the pride of her life. Donna imbued them with her adventurous spirit and loving heart, and they, in turn, gave her the joy of watching her legacy flourish. Her step-daughter, Kristin Lynn Gannon, added to the rich tapestry of her family life, each thread interwoven with love and laughter.
Describing Donna is easy: friendly, loving, adventurous. She was the kind of person who could strike up a conversation in an empty room and leave with a roomful of friends. Her infectious laughter could turn a mundane gathering into a memorable soiree. She lived by the wise words of a well-liked celebrity, the inimitable Dolly Parton, who once said, “The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.” Donna didn’t just put up with the rain; she danced in it, often convincing others to join her jig.
Donna’s life was a vivid palette of experiences, a rainbow of moments that touched everyone she met. She navigated life’s fairways with grace, often out of the rough and straight onto the green, leaving behind a trail of chuckles and cherished memories. Her departure was as she lived—peacefully and on her own terms, surrounded by the natural beauty of a world she so dearly loved.
So, as we bid farewell to Donna Lou Gannon, let’s remember her not with a somber note but with a burst of joyous laughter echoing through the quilting aisles and across the golf courses she adored. She has taken the 19th hole to heaven, leaving us with the warmth of her memory and the echo of her laughter. And remember, in the words of another funny lady, Carol Burnett, “Comedy is tragedy plus time.” Donna’s time may have ended, but the comedy of her life will continue to inspire chuckles and smiles for generations to come.
Farewell, Donna, and thanks for the laughter.
Upon her request cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Friends and family may sign the online guest register and leave written condolences at WestRiverFuneral.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Dean Moncur at West River Funeral Directors in Rapid City.
