Donna Bernice Menning

Donna Menning, whose devotion to her family was powerful, boundless,
and enduring, died on October 27 after a long illness. She was 80.

The fourth of seven children, Donna was born in Lovell, Wyoming to Ben
and Katherine Spomer. It was as a child that she developed her lifelong
love for the outdoors, while growing up on the family farm with her brothers
and sisters. She met her future husband Lloyd Lamb at Powell High
School, and upon graduation they embarked on distant adventures as his
employment took them to California and then Alaska. In due time they
happily returned to Wyoming, where their four sons, Lynn, Larry, Lyle and
Lance were raised. Donna’s strong work ethic was obvious in these early
years, evident in her presence alongside Lloyd on their farm and their other
business ventures. After their marriage ended, she became even greater in
the eyes of her sons, a caring force of nature who demonstrated through
her own determination that any goal was achievable.

Donna’s later marriage to Clem Menning brought his children, three sons
and a daughter, into an ever-expanding family that also included many
grandchildren and great grandchildren, each of whom was welcomed and
adored. She and Clem embraced an active life together, including events at
the American Legion, fishing trips to Canada, a much-enjoyed return for
Donna to Alaska, and always, always, visits with their children.

In semi-retirement, Donna found great satisfaction in a position with the
local fabric shop, Cut and Sew. Her talent with sewing and quilting was
long celebrated and over the years each of her grandchildren received a
treasured quilt tailored to their own personalities. In the shop Donna was in
her element, able to share her passion and gracious smile with others in
the community.

A vibrant presence, whose great sense of fun and deep well of affection will
continue to be celebrated by her sons, nieces and nephews, and all who
spent time with her, Donna was the true heart of her family. As a longtime
member of Hope Lutheran Church, her loved ones now take solace in the
knowledge that she is safely at home with the Lord.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Katherine, sister
Carma Simon, brother Daniel Spomer and husband Clem Menning. She is
survived by her brothers John (Diane) Spomer, Carl (Judi) Spomer, and
Dale (Joy) Spomer all of Powell, WY; her sister Brenda Spomer of Laramie,

WY, sons Lynn (Jenya) Lamb of Meeteetse, WY, Larry (Carol) Lamb of
Riverton, WY, Lyle (Theresa) Lamb of Powell and Lance (Shawna) Lamb of
Belgrade, MT, stepchildren Jerry Menning of Powell, and Phil Menning,
Sue Turbin and Rick Menning all of Wisconsin. Donna also leaves 18
grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.

Services will be held at 10:00 am November 18 th at the Hope Lutheran
Church in Powell, Wyoming. The burial will be directly after at Crown Hill
Cemetery. The family requests everyone who loved Donna to gather at the
American Legion in Powell, after 4:00 pm to reminisce.