Donna Franks Laird

Donna Madeline Franks Laird was born in Eureka, Utah, on July 12, 1930, to Charles LaVern and Anna Magdaline Drussel Franks. She left this world in the quiet, pre-dawn hours of July 21, 2025. She passed away five short days after being diagnosed with cancer.

Donna leaves behind two daughters, Debra (Spanish Fork), Lana (Santaquin), and one son, Terry (Jennie) of Orem, Utah. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Richard B. Laird; her brother, Darrell LaVern Franks; and her brother, Lauren A. Franks. Donna had five grandsons and one granddaughter, as well as seven great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter. She was looking forward to the birth of a second great-granddaughter next month.

Her childhood was spent in the towns of Dutchtown and Eureka. She graduated from Tintic High School. After graduation, she worked for J.C. Penney department store in Eureka.

Donna married Richard (Dick) B. Laird on August 19, 1950, in Eureka. Their first child, Debra, was born on June 18, 1952. Lana was born November 26, 1954, and Terry was born June 6, 1962.

Early in their marriage, Dick and Donna moved into her current home in Eureka. Donna has spent the last 19 months at Spring Gardens Assisted Living in Mapleton, Utah. However, Eureka remained “home” to her.

Donna’s most important occupation was that of “homemaker.” Family was her number one priority, and she derived the most joy from doing things for and with her family.

She had many talents and hobbies. Some of them were sewing, reading, cooking, and camping.

Donna was always meticulous with her appearance. She always wanted to look her best. She even chose what to wear to her funeral!

She was an excellent cook, and she looked forward to preparing dishes for her family. Seldom, if ever, was any dish on Donna’s table from a can or a box. However, family and friends knew that when she served anything, it would be a “Donna-size” portion—very, very small!

Donna was a member of a Bridge Club as well as the Lady Elks. In her later years, she enjoyed participating in a book club.

Donna also had a talent for decorating her home tastefully. When she and Dick were young, they spent many hours remodeling and improving their home.

Donna enjoyed going on picnics around Eureka and camping. She liked picnics so much that she and her best friend insisted their husbands build a permanent picnic table in Knightsville so they could “picnic in style.”

For many years, when the children were young, Dick would leave after work to renovate a cabin out west of Eureka. Donna remained at home with the kids for the weekend. However, it was not long before Donna mastered the art of driving Dick’s old truck with a standard transmission. From that time on, Donna and the three kids would make the one-hour drive on a dirt road to Cow Hollow with a delicious picnic lunch to share with Dick, his brothers, and the Wolf brothers.

After Terry began elementary school, Donna worked part-time at the family-owned grocery store, Laird’s Market. Not long after, she began her career as secretary for Tintic High School in Eureka, Utah. She worked with several principals, and her accounting records would pass every state audit the school had. Donna worked for the school until her retirement in 1997.

Donna supported her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in all their various extracurricular activities. She was an elementary school “room mother” for numerous years, and she spent countless hours sewing costumes for the annual Christmas Operetta. However, Donna spent more hours watching sporting events—especially baseball and softball—than any other hobby. She would happily sit in freezing rain/snow or 100° heat just to watch a great-grandchild get a base hit, strikeout, or a home run.

Family members and family gatherings—especially holidays—were the most important things in life to Donna. She instilled in all her posterity the importance of family memories and family traditions. Her life could best be described by the following quote:

“God gave us memories so that we might have roses in December.” — J.M. Barrie

Donna’s family sincerely thanks the staff of Spring Gardens Assisted Living for the kindness, love, and support given to her during her stay. Your love made her stay seem as much like home as possible.