Donna Grace Cote

Our beloved mother left this world peacefully surrounded by her loving family.  With peaceful hearts, we imagine her stepping into the arms of God and loved ones who have been waiting for her to come home.

 

Donna Grace Atkinson Cote (95) passed away on February 15, 2026.  Mom was a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who always put her family first.  Mom will be missed, but we have beautiful memories to cherish.  Per her request, our family will have a private celebration of life on her birthday, March 20, 2026.  Her remains will be laid to rest at the Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery with her husband, Victor.

 

Donna was born in Willow City, North Dakota, on March 20, 1930 to Thomas Nelson and Johanna Alice (Liebelt) Atkinson.  She was raised on a farm near Willow City.  Donna attended a country school until the eighth grade and graduated from Willow City High School in 1948.

 

Donna first met Victor Paul Cote when she was 14 years old.  He was working for a company that dug a well on her parents’ farm.  She met him again when Victor was home on furlough. They began writing to each other while Victor was in the service.  After he was discharged, they dated and were married on November 26, 1948. They were married 71 years before Victor’s passing in 2020. Donna and Victor moved to Butte, Montana in January 1951 where their daughters: Jocelyn, Pamela and Kimera were born and raised. Victor and Donna moved to Missoula in 1974.

 

Donna worked in retail for many years and retired from the Missoula County Clerk and Recorders office in 1988.  She was very involved in the First Presbyterian Church.  She taught Sunday school, helped with the Logos Program, sewed clothing for different organizations, was a Deacon, and belonged to Circle.

Donna had a large garden and liked to can produce each fall.  She worked side by side with Victor in any house projects.  Her biggest love was her family and quilting.  She made many quilts over the years - giving one to every member of her family and donating quilts for various fundraisers. She will always be remembered for her world-famous potato buns.

 

In November 2021 Donna moved to the Village Senior Residence with her beloved cat, Misty.  She enjoyed many of the activities offered, was fond of her caregivers and all of her dinner mates.

 

Donna is survived by her Daughters and their Husbands – Jocelyn and John Zbitnoff, Pamela and Marvin Walchuk and Kimera and Brian Robertson.  Eight Grandchildren: Jascha (Anna) Zbitnoff, Christopher (Erin) Zbitnoff, Nicholas Zbitnoff, Salina (Walchuk) (Josh) deVos, Brett (Crista) Walchuk, Jared (Caitlin) Walchuk, Jenna (Robertson) (Tim) Criswell, Crista (Robertson) (Dave) Wilcox, 25 Great-grandchildren and her Sister, Sally Brandt.

Donna was proceeded in death by her parents, husband, granddaughter, Tara Jo Robertson, brothers, Maynard, Melvin, Harold Atkinson and other family members.

The family thanks the many people at the Village who cared for Donna, as well as, all the special people from Partners in Home Care Hospice.

Memorials can be made to Partners in Home Care, First Presbyterian Church of Missoula or the charity of your choice.