Dona J. (Hillis) Lay

Dona J. Lay, 71, formerly of Lansing, MI, passed away Sunday, February 21, 2021, holding her daughter Dianne’s hand in Aitkin, Minnesota.  She was born July 10, 1949, in Lansing, Michigan to Milo and Ruth (Raber) Hillis.  After her husband passed in 1981, she devoted her life to her children.  Dona was a loving mother and grandmother who enjoyed cross-stitching, painting ceramics, gardening, crafts and loving on her grandchildren!  She also enjoyed rock collecting and for many years was an active member of the Central Michigan Lapidary and Mineral Society.  When she lived in Lansing, she was an active member of Holt United Methodist Church.  Dona will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by her children, Timothy (Deb) Lay, Jean (Tim) Ely, Dianne (David) Poree and John Lay; grandchildren, Arak, Keegan, Bladen, Leah, Hunter, Sandra, Miles, Isaac and Dayton; great grandson, Everett; sister, Mary (Carl) Hill, brother-in-law John (Judy) Lay and many nieces and nephews/great nieces and nephews.

A private family service will be held at a later date.  Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers to nationalmssociety.org or alz.org in Dona’s memory.  To leave a message of condolence please go to www.srtfuneral.com.  Arrangements are with Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Aitkin.

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