Donnella Faye Savola, 93, passed away peacefully of natural causes on August 2, 2022 at her home of 71 years in Horseshoe Bend, Idaho. She was born on August 12, 1928, in Boise, Idaho to Ernest Alfred and Eunice Camille Cushman Stoops. Ernest worked for the Boise Police Department and had been Chief of Police in 1924. Donnella grew up in Boise and Garden Valley, Idaho.
Donnella married Albert Savola in 1948 in Boise, Idaho. They were happily married for 24 years until Albert’s untimely death in 1972. Donnella was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Horseshoe Bend. Nan, as she was referred to by all, enjoyed gardening, reading, traveling, sewing, and crocheting. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family. Nan’s grandchildren, great-grandchildren, along with her yard and garden were what made her the proudest and were truly the joy of her life. She was selected as Homemaker of the Year for Idaho in 1970. She was active in 4-H and the HSB Senior Citizens.
After Albert’s death, Donnella began working for the United States Postal Service as an Assistant Postmaster and then as Postmaster in Horseshoe Bend, a position she held for 20 years.
Donnella is survived by her eight children: Kathleen (John Shaw), Laurel Savola (David Railsback), Patricia (Wade Bisterfeldt), Marjorie (Brady Wilson), Elizabeth Sue (Ken Henderson), Albert Savola (Katie), Joseph Savola (Kristin Armstrong) and Steven Savola; her thirteen grandchildren: Amy (Wade Swiger), Kirsti Noble, John Shaw; Jaclyn (Casey McCoy), Allen Henderson (Jenny); Michelle (Jonathan Hamrick), Audrey (Mohamed Sanoe), Matthew Wilson (Laura Tedrick); Drew Bisterfeldt (Lisa), Sarah Bisterfeldt; Alisha Savola; Lucas Savola; and Michael Savola (Ashley). Donnella is survived by seventeen great-grandchildren: Markus (Cassidy) and Grayson Swiger; Bryce and Keagan McCoy; Aaron and Emily Henderson; Andrew and Jensen Shaw; Adelaide, Olivia, Eloise and Elinor Wilson-Hamrick; Elkin, Amina, and Aisha Sanoe; Theodore Wilson; and Weston Savola. Her eighteenth great-grandchild is expected this December. She is also survived by her brother James Flood (Debbie) of Anchorage, Alaska.
Donnella’s husband, parents, daughter-in-law (DeeDee), sister (Jean Charters) and younger brothers (Ernest and David Stoops) preceded her in death.
A family memorial service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to the Horseshoe Bend Library.
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