Donna M. (Maher) Houghtaling, Ideal, 73, passed away on Saturday, July 2, 2016, in the care of her daughter, Jill and family. Donna was diagnosed with lymphoma cancer in late February. Jill took her in their home on June 4, 2016, to be cared for. Hospice aided Donna until the time of her passing. Donna was born to Earl and Kate (Zindler) Maher of Rapelje, Montana on May 8, 1943 in Big Timber, Montana. At a younger age, Kate discovered that Donna did not respond to the noise of pots and pans that fell while she was watching the television. So, she tip toed behind her back and clanged them again with no response. They took her to the doctor and discovered that she was deaf with no nerves in her ears. They believed the reason for the deafness was that her mother had the German Measles while she was pregnant. When she became school age, her folks had to take her to the Deaf and Blind School in Great Falls, Montana. While Donna attended school, her parents farmed at Reed Point, Montana. This was her home away from home until she graduated in 1962. They communicated with their daughter by writing and made up their own sign language. Donna had a passion for horses. She had no fear of being alone with horses or riding them, even though there were lots of snakes where they lived. They had a dog that would lead her around to avoid them. After Donna graduated, she came home and lived with her folks, who now lived in Gallatin Gateway, Montana. While living there, she met Paul Houghtaling, who also lived in that area. She married Paul in 1965, and they lived on Little Bear Road in Gallatin Gateway. Donna worked for Glacier Mountain Cheese, in Gallatin Gateway for a while. Donna loved showing her horse and was involved in showing from 1970 to 1975. She received many ribbons and trophies. Ten years later they were blessed with a daughter. She began to teach her daughter, Jill, sign language at 18 months of age. In 1983, Donna and Paul got divorced, when Jill was seven years old. A year later, Donna and Jill moved to Bozeman, Montana with Donna's parents. April through June of 1986, they lived in Silesia, Montana as a caretaker. They then moved back to Bozeman until Jill graduated from high school in 1995. Donna became involved in the Gallatin County Fair as well as the Montana Winter Fair from 1983 through 1994, where she did a lot of volunteering and entering in open class. She has received many ribbons on baked items as well as arts and crafts. From 1995 to 1998, Donna lived in Laurel, Montana. During those years, she entered projects at the Yellowstone County Fair in Billings, Montana. She worked at Ricci's Thriftway in Laurel. In 1998 to 2013, she lived in Belgrade, Montana. Donna continued to enter projects at the Gallatin County Fair and the Montana Fair from 1998 to 2006. She had several jobs: 2000-2002 she worked at Trinity Lutheran Daycare, in 2002 for five months she worked as a personal care giver and from 2002 to 2006 she worked at McDonald's. About three years ago, she came down just to visit Jill and family for a couple of months and ended up moving to Winner, South Dakota in October of 2013. Donna was involved in many clubs: Wilson Bear Ladies Aide, Gallatin Saddle Club, and Gallatin Association of the Deaf (GAD). She was a member for the Montana Association of the Deaf for 17 years. Donna enjoyed horseback riding, dancing, spending time with her deaf friends & family, signing songs in church, having a potluck gathering, playing games, fishing, gardening, canning, baking, arts & crafts, and genealogy. The most famous craft she was known for was her beautiful macramé items. Donna will be missed very much, especially her smile and laughter. She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl & Katherine Maher; sister, Linda (Maher) Kraft; nephew, Miles Chandler; brother-in-law, Richard Chandler; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. She is survived by her daughter, Jill and son-in-law, Aaron Amidon of Ideal and two grandsons, Cody and Jared Amidon; sister, Helen Chandler of Bozeman, Montana; brother Jim Maher (Leona) of Livingston, Montana; brother-in-law, Glen Kraft of Bozeman, Montana; and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service was held on July 16, 2016, at Christ Lutheran Church in Winner, South Dakota, at 2:00 PM, followed by a reception.