Donna Mautz, 81, Garrison, died on Monday, January 16, 2012 at a Garrison hospital. Memorial services will be held on Thursday at 10:30 am at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Garrison. Burial will be at the Garrison City Cemetery.

Donna was born March 22, 1930 in Wilton, ND to Stan and Agnes (Parkyka) Murrey. She was raised near Wilton and went to country school. She graduated from St. Mary's High School in Bismarck. She then attended college in Valley City and Dickinson and earned her teaching degree.

While teaching at a country school near Garrison, she met her future husband, Melvin Mautz. They were married on December 30, 1954 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Wilton. They made their home on a farm eight miles north of Garrison.

Donna kept busy helping Melvin with the farm chores and tending to her garden. She often had the reins in her hands as she loved horses and spent a lot of time riding and working with them. Her love of the outdoors led to her work for the McLean County Soil Conservation District where she planted countless trees over many years. She also cleaned at BNC Bank in Garrison until she was forced to retire because of a broken hip. Donna lived the last several years at the Garrison Hospital Nursing Facility where she was always willing to help the activity staff when needed.

Donna is survived by one son, Carey (Lois) Mautz, Garrison; one grandson, Kendal Mautz, Garrison, one brother, Jerry (Colleen) Murrey, Wilton, sister, Elbie Matthiesen, and a twin sister, Delores Murrey, both of Bismarck.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Melvin, 3 infant grandsons, Brandon, Eric, and Baby Boy Mautz, sisters, Betty June, Mae, Sister Michaela Murrey OSB, and Virginia, and brothers, Theodore, Frank, John and Duane.