Dorla Neiman

1932 - 2025

Dorla Bee Neiman, 93, of Camas Prairie, MT passed away at her home on September 9, 2025, during the 100th year of the Neiman Ranch.

Dorla was born May 27, 1932, to parents Agnes and Donald Donneaud in Long Valley, SD. Her first home was a sod house and, on that dryland farm she developed her life-long love of anything with feathers, fur or leaves.

Drought and the Depression drove her family west where they settled in what seemed like paradise in Pleasant View, ID. Dorla and her younger brother thrived in this new country. She graduated from Central Valley High School as Valedictorian in 1950 and there met Morland, her future husband.

After graduation, Dorla went to work at Kaiser Aluminum in Spokane. She worked in the secretarial pool and being the beauty she was, had to suffer the many whistles and catcalls from the men at closing time.

Dorla married the love of her life when Morland returned from military duty in 1953. They moved to the family ranch on Camas Prairie, MT where they built a home and added three boys to their family in a little over three years.

Mom was the definition of a ranch woman and excelled as a gardener, cattle woman, cook and mother. She was truly the heart of our extended family. No one ever left her table hungry. Her pies and embroidered tea towels were legendary in the community. All her family and friends cherished her handwritten letters. Finally, she could outlast anyone picking in the garden or the berry patch.

Dorla and Morland loved to travel, and they made trips to Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, Italy and Bosnia. However, she was happiest at home on Camas Prairie, tending her garden, chickens and cattle – and spoiling the dog.

Mom's life could be summed up by a note taped to her desk: "How pleasant it is at the end of the day, no follies to have to repent, but to reflect on the past and be able to say that my time has been well spent."

Dorla was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Agnes Donneaud, her brother, Donald Dean Donneaud and her husband Charles Morland. She is survived and dearly missed by her sons, Mark (Kimi) Neiman of Kalispell, Dale (Carla) Neiman on the family ranch, and Paul (Sue) Neiman of Colstrip; grandchildren Melissa, Jordan, Josh (Dana), Audrey (Justin), Bob (Kari), Andy, Mike, Matt (Sabrina), and Rebecca (Stipe), 12 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A luncheon to celebrate Dorla's life is planned Saturday, September 20 at 11:30 a.m. at the Camas Prairie Gym. Memorials are suggested to the Camas Prairie Neighbors, c/o Sherrie Lien, 220 Weber Lane, Plains, MT 59859, or Clark Fork Valley Hospital Hospice, PO Box 768, Plains, MT.