Louray J. Donner

DEADWOOD - Louray J. Donner, 78, Deadwood, died Sunday, June 5, 2011, at Lead-Deadwood Regional Hospital.

Louray was born May 30, 1933, at Lead to Raymond and Violet (Smith) Mittelstadt. She grew up in Lead, graduating from Lead High School. She then went on to become a registered nurse at Sioux Valley School of Nursing in Sioux Falls. She returned to Lead after graduating, working at various nursing jobs over the years, starting at Homestake Hospital. She later was the county nurse and then worked at David M. Dorsett Health Care until she retired.

Louray married Joe Cracco in Lead and they had three children, Michael, Nancey and Sonia. They divorced. Louray later married Charles Donner.

Louray loved bowling on Tuesdays, gardening, ceramics and traveling. She especially loved following her children and grandchildren's activities. She was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Lead and had been active in the church choir.

Louray is survived by her loving husband, Charles, Deadwood; a son, Michael Cracco, Deadwood: stepson, Micheal (Janet)

Donner, Newcastle, Wyo.; daughter Nancey (Geff) Marlatt, Yoder, Wyo.: stepdaughters, Denise (Shane) Scott, Meeteetse, Wyo., and Diane (Bryan) Polyak, Sioux Falls; 21 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Ramona (Dick) Tinker and Carol (Dale) Peters, all of Lead, and Janice Mittelstadt, Watauga, Texas; and special friend, Violet Schofield, Watauga.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a daughter, Sonia Taggart in 1994.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with 7 p.m. Vigil services Wednesday, June 8, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Lead.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 9, at St. Patrick Catholic Church with Father Kerry Prendiville as Celebrant. Burial will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

Arrangements are under the care of Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel of Lead. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com.