Donna Mae Ailts, our beloved sister, friend, aunt, mother, and grandmother, passed on November 14th, 2024, at age 64. She left this Earth peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones, in Helena, MT. This is where she lost her short battle to cancer. She was loved by all who had a chance to know her. She will be remembered for her love, kindness, gentleness, and generosity. She left a mark on all those she came into contact with.
Donna loved to make handmade Dream Catchers, and playing cards (she was the queen of Rummy, if you asked her). Some of the things she loved was her Native American Heritage and Culture. She was a proud member of the Lakota Sioux Tribe. Donna also had a love for wildlife as she would also hunt and fish on the land. A few other things she enjoyed were being outdoors and rock hunting/collecting. Adventures were never far once she stepped into the outdoors. Donna had an especially large soft spot for her dogs, or as she would call them, her babies.
Donna began her life on May 20th, 1960, in Rapid City, South Dakota. She lived in numerous places throughout her journey including California, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and lastly Montana which she called home. Donna lived in Lincoln, MT for almost half of her life. She then met and married Jesus Anguiano, and later divorced. They shared one daughter from this marriage, Maria Anguiano. She later in life met Curtis Melton whom she shared a life together of 38 years, until his passing in June of 2022.
Donna is survived by her daughter, Maria Anguiano; 5 grandchildren, Victoria, Aaron, Aria, Alessandra, Camila; 1 great-grandson, Zaiden; sisters & brothers in-law, Marilyn Ailts & Reynaldo Molina (Justin, Alejandro, Alicia, Miranda), Elisa Pereyra and Ricardo Molina (Reanna, Mitchel, Tryna); brother & sister in-law, Manuel & Tanya Pereyra ( Kaera, MarQuis), and sister, Shanta Romero ( Mya, Adrian, Manual, Angel). Donna was also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, nephews, 1 great-great niece, and 1 great-great nephew; friends, Jessica Fallis, and Fritz Andrews of Lincoln, MT; aunt, Rose Cuny-Morrison; and uncle, Orson (Gwen) Cuny of Manderson, SD.
She was preceded into death by her late husbands, Curtis Melton, and Jesus Anguiano; mother, Barbara Cuny-Romero; father, Burdell Morris-Ailts; brother, Jerry Ailts; grandparents, Thomas Cuny & Helen Standing Soldier- Curtis; and great-nephew, Brian Ailts.
Urn Bearers will be Reynaldo Molina, Justin Ailts, and Miranda Molina.
Honorary Pallbearers are Ricardo Molina, Mitchel Wheelock, Jessica Fallis, Fritz Andrews, and All Friends & Relatives.
A service to celebrate Donna’s life will be held on December 7th, 2024, in Hot Springs, South Dakota at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.
Rosary Service: 9:30 AM, Saturday, December 7, 2024 at the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Hot Springs, SD
Memorial Service: 10:00 AM, Saturday, December 7, 2024 at the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Hot Springs, SD
Officiating: Father Collins Igwilo
Burial Services: Evergreen Cemetery, Hot Springs, SD
Please come join us in a celebration of Donna’s life which will follow at the American Legion Hall in Hot Springs, SD.
Arrangements entrusted with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD