- Date Of Birth: August 29, 1952
- Date Of Death: March 9, 2010
- State: Idaho
Donna was born August 29, 1952 at Lewiston, Idaho the daughter of Ernest and Margaret Liedkie Altmiller. Growing up, she had wonderful experiences in the logging camps where her father worked and also experiences due to her father’s roles in movies filmed throughout the Northwest, such as “The Big Sky” with Kirk Douglas and “Breakheart Pass” with Charles Bronson. She also got to pet Charlie, the cougar who was the main character in the Disney movie, “Charlie, The Lonesome Cougar”. She also attended Orofino High School.
Donna married Rick Thornton and three children were born to them, Brett, Patricia and Chad. They were later divorced.
She later married Sam Linton on December 10, 1991 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. They moved to Boise in 1993 where they lived until moving to Nampa in 1997 and then to Caldwell in 2003. One son, Jack was born to them in 1994.
Donna and Sam enjoyed travelling and seeing different parts of the country.
Donna lived her life the way she wanted to, as her own person. She was the consummate caregiver and lived her life for her family. She volunteered in schools that her children attended and then was hired to help in the classrooms of children with special needs. She worked for Caldwell and Vallivue School Districts until her health prevented her from working and she retired.
Donna loved to sew and had her own business, Just Simply Sewing. She made wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses and Spanish dance dresses for special events. She especially enjoyed making clothing for her grandchildren.
Donna loved animals and was always willing to take in a stray cat, dog, bird or squirrel.
Surviving are her husband, Sam of Caldwell; her mother, Margaret Altmiller of Orofino; Sister, Janet Rose of Spokane, Washington, Karen Burch of St. Maries, Idaho, Beverly Adams of Orofino, Idaho and Debbie Ditunno of Kamiah, Idaho; her children, Brett Thornton of Eugene, Oregon, Patricia Palmer of Nampa, Idaho, Chad Thornton of Anatone, Washington, Jack Linton of Caldwell, Idaho and Tonya Craig of Platina, California and her beloved grandchildren, Samantha, Christopher, Bennett, Zachary, Trinity, Tristen, Ellie, Justice, Jordan, Linda, Ethan and Jonathan.
She was preceded in death by her father, Ernest Altmiller.
Donna was called home Tuesday, March 9, 2010 after a six year battle with cancer.
