Danielle Katherine Corona

On November 17, 2024, the beautiful, talented and thriving Danielle Katherine Corona, 36, unexpectedly lost her life, along with her dog, Louie, her most favorite companion, while she was driving home to Bismarck, ND, going east on I-90, when she was hit by an intoxicated driver going the wrong way on the interstate. 

This wonderful woman, Danielle, was born on February 8, 1988 to parents Larry and Marie Corona in Nashua, New Hampshire. She arrived in this world two months earlier than planned, setting the tone for all those who would come to know her, that she went where she wanted, when she wanted to. Danielle lived the first seven years of her life in Amherst, New Hampshire, with her hard working and doting parents and her enthusiastic and protective older sister, Jessica Bras. She loved playing in the snow, collecting rocks and doing everything and anything her sister wanted to do. In 1995, her family moved across the country to Townsend, Montana, where Danielle spent her elementary years exploring the wonders of her new surroundings. Whether that meant going on long drives with her father or showing her horse in 4H and winning first place (purple ribbon), or playing fiddle/violin, she was ready to take it all in. In 2002, Danielle moved with her family to Victor, MT, where she spent the remainder of her adolescence. Her high school passion was Media Arts, and she was involved with writing the screenplay, directing, producing and editing her production of the movie “Soul Sight” which she co-wrote and also acted in. Danielle graduated from Corvallis High School in 2006, taking with her a love of learning and friendships that would continue throughout her life span.

She started college at the University of Montana, and attended for over a year before the world outside of the state she had grown up in called to her. In 2008, Danielle set out for the exciting and unknown possibilities of the Pacific Northwest. She moved in with her sister in Vancouver, WA and went to Clark College to get her certification and credentials in phlebotomy. She began as a Phlebotomist at Portland Adventist before transitioning over to Kaiser Permanente, where she stayed until 2020, leaving only because she wanted to attend Portland State University full time. The last few years of the time she spent in Vancouver was as a full time student at PSU, graduating with honors in June of 2022 and receiving a bachelor’s degree in Geology-Hydrology and Water Resources Sciences.

In August 2022, Danielle moved to Bismarck, ND where she started her dream career as an esteemed Geologist at the North Dakota Department of Water Resources. She remained with DWR for almost two years before finding a different opportunity with Barr Engineering in April 2024. She worked in the Assessment & Remediation division where she performed soil logging, soil and groundwater sampling, Phase I and II Environmental Assessments, generated cross sections and oversaw well installations. After moving to North Dakota, Danielle rescued her amazing cattle dog mix, Louie, and purchased her first home. She loved doing renovations herself and sharing with family and friends all her projects and ideas she had on the horizon. Danielle had the type of laugh that could make even the most stoic laugh with her. As a spirited conversationalist, she had the ability to breathe the life into the dullest of times. She had a passion for learning and her determination and drive was envied by most. Once Danielle set her mind on a new experience, skill or adventure, she would follow through; her ambition was impressive and inspiring.

Danielle’s sense of humor was infectious, albeit dark. She lived her life filled with laughter, games and a hunger for exploration, taking up things like Japanese, long distance running, Krav Maga, hiking, backpacking and paddle boarding, just to name a few. It was normal to find her trying out some new type of yoga or studying with metal music raging in the background.

Even dogs knew how special she was, leaving their own person to be by her side. She had a gift and a love for them, always with her anywhere from a difficult hike to simple drive to the store. Danielle could turn heads, whether it was to her beauty or in the aggressive manner in which she mowed the lawn. She loved the color black, Thai food and port; tie the three together for perfection. Favorite nights were enjoyed with puppies, a drink and laughter under the stars.

If you were fortunate enough to have known her, you knew her very presence was magical. Time with Danielle was time well spent. She was easy to love, the type of sister, daughter and friend everyone wishes they had. She was taken far too soon and will be missed beyond words. There is an ache in our hearts that will never go away because this world is a lesser place without her.

So very special, beautiful inside and out. So deeply missed.

She was preceded in death by grandparents Albin Robert (Rob) and Evelyn Corona, grandfather George H. Copelin, uncles Patrick, Thomas and Harold Copelin, aunt Katherine Copelin Gonzales and uncle James Nelson, and Rev. Joseph L. Byrne of Holy Cross in Townsend, MT.

Danielle is survived by her father Larry Corona, her mother Marie Corona, her sister Jessica Bras, her grandmother Ann Copelin and aunts Rita Jackson and Roberta Corbinand, uncles Alan, Daniel and Timothy Copelin, uncle Pete Gonzales, many cousins, nieces and nephews. 

A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, May 24, 2024 at 11:00 AM at St. Francis Catholic Church in Hamilton, followed by the inurnment.  Brothers Mortuary & Crematory is honored to care for Ms. Corona.  Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.brothersmortuary.com.