May 4, 1951 ~ November 7, 2021 (age 70)
Donna Mae Norris died at age 70+ on November 7, 2021, in her home in Longmont, Colorado. Her husband Roger was at her side when she passed. Donna Mae began her life’s journey in Wilmar, Minnesota on May 4, 1951. She was born to Clair B. Norris and Luella D. (Giesler) Norris. She had an older sister, Mary Lou Norris. Her family of four moved to Littleton, Colorado when she was 3 years old making the trip in a new 1954 Chevrolet. Donna Mae graduated from Littleton High School in May 1969. She married Fred E. Dare in 1969, and gave birth to a son, Eric. N Dare in that same year. Donna Mae lived in various locations during her marriage to Phred because Phred was in the military and was transferred around many times. She spent time in Littleton, Aspen and Fort Collins, Colorado, and El Paso, Texas. Donna Mae and Phred were divorced in 1976.
Donna Mae married Roger D. Pratt on March 13, 1976, in Littleton, Colorado and shortly thereafter moved to California where she, Eric, and Roger lived in a residence in the Willow Glen area of San Jose, California. Roger was employed by IBM at the San Jose facility there. The family moved to Longmont, Colorado in 1977 and resided there for the remaining years of her life. During that time, Donna Mae obtained a bachelor’s degree in Horticulture and an MBA from Colorado State University in Fort Collins. After obtaining her MBA, Donna Mae began her career at New York Life as an insurance sales representative. She also worked as a traveling fabric sales representative for E. E. Schenck Co. of Portland, Oregon. She had an affinity for creative and artistic interests such as stained-glass work, sewing and needlework. In 1985, Donna Mae and Roger adopted 3 siblings, ages 7, 11, and 13, from a Korean orphanage. They were given English names after adoption, Michael, Elizabeth, and Jennifer. That consumed most of Donna Mae’s attention for many years. Eventually she found her passion in life, which was the fiber arts in general and quilting in particular.
Quilting was her vocation and hobby for the remainder of her life. She began sharing her love for quilting by teaching many aspects and techniques locally and nationally to people of all ages including children. She was also a part owner of a local quilting shop called The Patch Works. Most recently, she taught quilting classes in Lyons, Colorado at Lyons Quilting. She also found joy in being a member of the Longmont Quilt Guild and serving as the Outreach chairperson involved in making and giving quilts to various organizations such as the Battered Women’s Shelter and the Fire and Police Departments in Longmont. Her passion for quilting was not only passed on to her children and grandchildren, but across the Longmont community and had an impact on many people. That continued until FTD began to manifest itself and hindered her cognitive abilities. Donna Mae succumbed to the ravages of Fronto Temporal Degradation and ALS (or something that presented very much like ALS). Donna Mae is survived by her husband Roger Pratt of Longmont, Colorado; her sister Mary Lou of Royal Oaks, California; her former husband Phred Dare of Arvada, Colorado; her oldest son Eric Dare of Englewood, Colorado; her youngest son Michael Pratt of Los Angeles, California; her oldest daughter Elizabeth Pratt of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; her youngest daughter Jennifer Ahnert of Littleton, Colorado; and her adopted-in-the-heart daughter Tiffany Kilen of Waldwick, New Jersey.
She is also survived by nine grandchildren Emily Sothea Chhun, Grace Joanna Kilen, Sofia Barbara Messina, Vaughan Pratt Williams, Adrianne Danielle Dare, Julian Pratt Im, Ethan Donald Ahnert, Riley Adam Dare, and Lillian Mae Pratt Im. She was predeceased by her father, Clair Norris (who passed in 1964) and her mother Luella Norris (who passed in 2013). Donna Mae will be cremated per her wishes.
Memorial service to be held at the Carroll-Lewellen Funeral Home at 503 Terry Street in Longmont, Colorado at 9:00 a.m. on Friday November 12. Attendance will be limited due to COVID considerations. Internment will take place in the Foothills Gardens of Memory in the Honor Columbarium. Family members only will attend the internment. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the FTD organization: https://www.theaftd.org/support-aftds-mission/
