Donna Mae Bitz was born to Valentine Bitz and Barbara Masseth-Bitz on June 9, 1931, in Bismarck, North Dakota. She had one brother, six years older, Robert Bitz.
Donna grew up in Bismarck, where she attended St. Mary's Catholic School. In high school she was a cheerleader. Her cheerleading skirt hung down to her calves, and her comrades would say to her, “Swing and Sway with Donna Mae!”
In 1941, while attending dental tech school, she met her future, one and only William I. Hanks, better known at “W.I.” In their first three years of marriage, they had four children: “Billy, Barbie, Bobby, Becky” – William V. Hanks (Sally), Barbara R. Hanks-Wilson (Richard), Robert W. Hanks (Laurie) and Rebecca M. Hanks-Self (William). They were married 58 years.
In the early 1950s, Donna and family lived in Palmdale, California, but due to W.I.’s job in the missile profession, the family moved several times before settling in Page. They first moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, for half a year; then Spokane, Washington, for two years; Artesia, New Mexico, for one year; and East Carbon, Utah, for seven years. Donna and W.I. settled in Page in 1970.
Donna was a stay-at-home mom and wife. She greatly enjoyed this part of her life, spending time with her children and enjoying family activities. Donna always said, “Being a mom was the best thing I’ve ever done.”
After W.I.’s retirement, they enjoyed spending much of their time at Lake Powell on their houseboat, Kick-A -Poo Joy Juice. Donna loved to be on the lake floating in her innertube. They also bought a small piece of property in Sheridan, Wyoming. Every summer for 16 years, they headed up to the cool weather, having fun with Bob and Laurie Hanks and their four children.
Donna loved water aerobics, painting, crocheting/quilting, reading, crossword puzzles, playing games and, above all, playing bridge. She LOVED playing bridge. She played weekly in a bridge club for over 40 years. In the evenings, you could always find Donna watching her favorite shows, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. She was also a very devote Catholic and active in the local parish, Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Donna had 13 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
In her last several months of life, Donna lived with her granddaughter Jessica and husband Adrian. Jessica, Adrian and grandma enjoyed their evenings having dinner, watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, and playing an occasional game or two of Chinese checkers. Jessica is honored and blessed to have this time with her grandma. Donna passed peacefully in the very early morning of March 8 with Jessica and Adrian at her side. She will be missed very much!
Donna is preceded in death by husband William I. Hanks and son-in-law William T. Self.
There will be a Memorial Service for Donna at Faith Bible Chapel June 3 at 12 p.m. Food will be provided after.
