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LaDonna Kay (Bantz) Westfall, 59, of Big Lake, left this world to be with her Lord on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2015, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, after a two-year battle with lung cancer. The church choir sang, “It is Well With My Soul,” as she passed.
LaDonna was born on April 10, 1956, in Galesburg, Ill., the youngest of Harold and Floy Bantz’s six children. She graduated from Galesburg High in 1974, and attended Western Illinois University and the University of Alaska-Anchorage.
Like so many others, she traveled to Alaska to work for “a summer,” and fell in love with Alaska, and her future husband.
Keith Westfall and LaDonna were married on Aug. 12, 1978, in Anchorage. They built their home in Big Lake in 1984 and raised their two children there.
LaDonna’s passions were Jesus Christ and music, and she shared both with others by teaching Sunday school and children’s choir at Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake.
She was an Iditarod Trail volunteer over the past 30-plus years, even after surviving treatment for both breast cancer (2008) and previous lung cancer (2012). She also enjoyed snowmachining, hiking, baking, being a “hockey mom,” and spending time with friends and family. She worked for Spenard Builders Supply for 35 years, where she made lifelong friends.
LaDonna will be remembered as a loving, kind, generous woman of the Lord, and will be dearly missed.
LaDonna is survived by her husband, Keith; children, Kortnie (Jake) Horazdovsky of Chugiak and Kaleb Westfall of Big Lake; granddaughter, Anna Horazdovsky; siblings David (Pat) Bantz, of Bentonville, Ark., Sonia (Lou) Waller, of Anchorage, Kermit (Chris) Bantz of Excelsior, Minn.; and many relatives and friends across the country.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Floy and Harold; and sisters, Carol and baby Joyce Ann.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, Dec. 6, at Faith Bible Fellowship, 14225 Kluane Dr., Big Lake, Alaska. Viewing at 2 p.m., service at 3 p.m., reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Faith Bible Fellowship’s Children’s Ministry: PO Box 521498, Big Lake, Alaska 99652.
Arrangements cared for by Janssen’s Mat-Su Funeral Home.
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Diana Kohorst (Schoeneck)
Such sad news. Rest in Peace, LaDonna. I will always remember your kindness.
Kathryn Mahaffey
I remember LaDonna as a star student in the class(es) we had together. Her warmth, kindness, and generous smile left a lasting impression. My deepest sympathy goes out to her family and friends.
Jane Rogers (Boydstun)
My prayers go out to LaDonna's family. LaDonna was one of the nicest people in our class & one of the brightest. I think of how calm and together she was as a teenage girl, always admired her. Very sad news.
Kent Clay
I remember LaDonna all they way back in grade school at Hitchcock. We had several classes together there and at Churchill Jr. High. She was a good friend and an excellent student. She will be missed by all. Rest in peace my friend...