Donna Densley
Baker City Herald, The (OR) - Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Baker City, 1923-2012
Donna Densley, 89, of Baker City, died on October 18, 2012 at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Baker City.
Her funeral will be held in the warmth and beauty of spring, family members said.
Donna J. Densley was born at home in Twin Falls, Idaho, on May 22,1923, to Burton and Edith Dunn. She was just 18 months younger than her only sibling, Mary Jane.
Her father farmed and her mother was an elementary school teacher. When her father decided teaching would be more profitable than farming, his quest for more education led the family from Idaho to Corvallis, where her parents attended and graduated from Oregon Agricultural College.
Donna attended first grade at Corvallis; then, after her parents' graduation, the family moved to Shedd where her father was principal and her mother taught English and home economics.
She had fond memories of her grandmother living with them, cooking the meals and making wonderful chair beds in the kitchen when she or her sister were ill. Tap dancing and piano lessons were begun for both girls.
Three years later, her father's profession dictated another move, this time to Woodburn. As those were the Depression years and two incomes for only one family was frowned upon, her mother did not teach.
Donna enjoyed Woodburn except for the summers, picking berries eight hours a day and receiving just $1.
The next move was to Coquille, where Donna attended and graduated from high school. Always a "doer" and not a "sitter," playing trombone in the marching band and cheerleading were just two of her extracurricular activities. After school hours she worked, first at a café then a creamery.
Oregon State was the natural choice for college and that was where she met Dave.
World War II had begun; they were married in December 1943, and soon after Dave was in Europe with the 89th Division. Donna lived in Eugene with her mother.
Their daughter was born in 1945. In April 1946, Dave returned, completed his college degree and the move was made to his hometown of Richland.
Besides being a homemaker, who in the summer prepared daily meals for the hay crew and then canned, she took leadership roles in 4-H, PTA, CowBelles and Eastern Star. She played bridge, sewed, knitted, crocheted and took pleasure in entertaining family and friends.
Later for a time, she volunteered as an aide at Richland Elementary and knitted caps to be given to newborns at the hospital.
After Dave's heart surgery in 1987, life changed from a focus on ranching to a focus on golf. She loved it and the people involved.
In 1989 she made a hole-in-one. Wintertime meant golfing trips to southern California, Nevada and Utah. In 1996, the ranch was sold and they moved next to their dearly loved spot next to the golf course.
For years, until no longer physically active, Dave and Donna attended every Pine-Eagle High School football and basketball game and music program.
She fiercely loved their little dachshund, and he was devoted to her. She referred to him as her best friend in the whole world.
Donna was always busy, gregarious, full of fun, a joy to be with, small in stature, big on spunk, family members said. She had a passion for chocolate, clothing, purses, shoes, hankies, dancing, '40s and '50s big band music, and was wicked with a can of spray paint. For 10 years, dementia slowly stole all of her joys of life except her love of chocolate, music and dance.
The family expressed "many thank yous and blessings upon the dear friends who made more than a special effort on Wednesday evenings to continue to come to Dave and Donna's home." They also expressed their gratitude to the staffs of Heart 'n' Home, Ashley Manor and St. Alphonsus for their professional and compassionate care.
"You are appreciated more than words can express."
Survivors include her husband, David; her daughter and son-in-law, Janice and Tim Heater; two grandsons; two great-grandsons (plus one soon-to-be great-grandson); and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation through Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834.
Baker City Herald, The (OR) - Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Contributor: Jean Quentmeyer (46589738) • [email protected]
View Memorial
Baker City Herald, The (OR) - Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Baker City, 1923-2012
Donna Densley, 89, of Baker City, died on October 18, 2012 at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Baker City.
Her funeral will be held in the warmth and beauty of spring, family members said.
Donna J. Densley was born at home in Twin Falls, Idaho, on May 22,1923, to Burton and Edith Dunn. She was just 18 months younger than her only sibling, Mary Jane.
Her father farmed and her mother was an elementary school teacher. When her father decided teaching would be more profitable than farming, his quest for more education led the family from Idaho to Corvallis, where her parents attended and graduated from Oregon Agricultural College.
Donna attended first grade at Corvallis; then, after her parents' graduation, the family moved to Shedd where her father was principal and her mother taught English and home economics.
She had fond memories of her grandmother living with them, cooking the meals and making wonderful chair beds in the kitchen when she or her sister were ill. Tap dancing and piano lessons were begun for both girls.
Three years later, her father's profession dictated another move, this time to Woodburn. As those were the Depression years and two incomes for only one family was frowned upon, her mother did not teach.
Donna enjoyed Woodburn except for the summers, picking berries eight hours a day and receiving just $1.
The next move was to Coquille, where Donna attended and graduated from high school. Always a "doer" and not a "sitter," playing trombone in the marching band and cheerleading were just two of her extracurricular activities. After school hours she worked, first at a café then a creamery.
Oregon State was the natural choice for college and that was where she met Dave.
World War II had begun; they were married in December 1943, and soon after Dave was in Europe with the 89th Division. Donna lived in Eugene with her mother.
Their daughter was born in 1945. In April 1946, Dave returned, completed his college degree and the move was made to his hometown of Richland.
Besides being a homemaker, who in the summer prepared daily meals for the hay crew and then canned, she took leadership roles in 4-H, PTA, CowBelles and Eastern Star. She played bridge, sewed, knitted, crocheted and took pleasure in entertaining family and friends.
Later for a time, she volunteered as an aide at Richland Elementary and knitted caps to be given to newborns at the hospital.
After Dave's heart surgery in 1987, life changed from a focus on ranching to a focus on golf. She loved it and the people involved.
In 1989 she made a hole-in-one. Wintertime meant golfing trips to southern California, Nevada and Utah. In 1996, the ranch was sold and they moved next to their dearly loved spot next to the golf course.
For years, until no longer physically active, Dave and Donna attended every Pine-Eagle High School football and basketball game and music program.
She fiercely loved their little dachshund, and he was devoted to her. She referred to him as her best friend in the whole world.
Donna was always busy, gregarious, full of fun, a joy to be with, small in stature, big on spunk, family members said. She had a passion for chocolate, clothing, purses, shoes, hankies, dancing, '40s and '50s big band music, and was wicked with a can of spray paint. For 10 years, dementia slowly stole all of her joys of life except her love of chocolate, music and dance.
The family expressed "many thank yous and blessings upon the dear friends who made more than a special effort on Wednesday evenings to continue to come to Dave and Donna's home." They also expressed their gratitude to the staffs of Heart 'n' Home, Ashley Manor and St. Alphonsus for their professional and compassionate care.
"You are appreciated more than words can express."
Survivors include her husband, David; her daughter and son-in-law, Janice and Tim Heater; two grandsons; two great-grandsons (plus one soon-to-be great-grandson); and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation through Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834.
Baker City Herald, The (OR) - Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Contributor: Jean Quentmeyer (46589738) • [email protected]
View Memorial
Donna Densley
Baker City Herald, The (OR) - Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Baker City, 1923-2012
Donna Densley, 89, of Baker City, died on October 18, 2012 at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Baker City.
Her funeral will be held in the warmth and beauty of spring, family members said.
Donna J. Densley was born at home in Twin Falls, Idaho, on May 22,1923, to Burton and Edith Dunn. She was just 18 months younger than her only sibling, Mary Jane.
Her father farmed and her mother was an elementary school teacher. When her father decided teaching would be more profitable than farming, his quest for more education led the family from Idaho to Corvallis, where her parents attended and graduated from Oregon Agricultural College.
Donna attended first grade at Corvallis; then, after her parents' graduation, the family moved to Shedd where her father was principal and her mother taught English and home economics.
She had fond memories of her grandmother living with them, cooking the meals and making wonderful chair beds in the kitchen when she or her sister were ill. Tap dancing and piano lessons were begun for both girls.
Three years later, her father's profession dictated another move, this time to Woodburn. As those were the Depression years and two incomes for only one family was frowned upon, her mother did not teach.
Donna enjoyed Woodburn except for the summers, picking berries eight hours a day and receiving just $1.
The next move was to Coquille, where Donna attended and graduated from high school. Always a "doer" and not a "sitter," playing trombone in the marching band and cheerleading were just two of her extracurricular activities. After school hours she worked, first at a café then a creamery.
Oregon State was the natural choice for college and that was where she met Dave.
World War II had begun; they were married in December 1943, and soon after Dave was in Europe with the 89th Division. Donna lived in Eugene with her mother.
Their daughter was born in 1945. In April 1946, Dave returned, completed his college degree and the move was made to his hometown of Richland.
Besides being a homemaker, who in the summer prepared daily meals for the hay crew and then canned, she took leadership roles in 4-H, PTA, CowBelles and Eastern Star. She played bridge, sewed, knitted, crocheted and took pleasure in entertaining family and friends.
Later for a time, she volunteered as an aide at Richland Elementary and knitted caps to be given to newborns at the hospital.
After Dave's heart surgery in 1987, life changed from a focus on ranching to a focus on golf. She loved it and the people involved.
In 1989 she made a hole-in-one. Wintertime meant golfing trips to southern California, Nevada and Utah. In 1996, the ranch was sold and they moved next to their dearly loved spot next to the golf course.
For years, until no longer physically active, Dave and Donna attended every Pine-Eagle High School football and basketball game and music program.
She fiercely loved their little dachshund, and he was devoted to her. She referred to him as her best friend in the whole world.
Donna was always busy, gregarious, full of fun, a joy to be with, small in stature, big on spunk, family members said. She had a passion for chocolate, clothing, purses, shoes, hankies, dancing, '40s and '50s big band music, and was wicked with a can of spray paint. For 10 years, dementia slowly stole all of her joys of life except her love of chocolate, music and dance.
The family expressed "many thank yous and blessings upon the dear friends who made more than a special effort on Wednesday evenings to continue to come to Dave and Donna's home." They also expressed their gratitude to the staffs of Heart 'n' Home, Ashley Manor and St. Alphonsus for their professional and compassionate care.
"You are appreciated more than words can express."
Survivors include her husband, David; her daughter and son-in-law, Janice and Tim Heater; two grandsons; two great-grandsons (plus one soon-to-be great-grandson); and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation through Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834.
Baker City Herald, The (OR) - Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Contributor: Jean Quentmeyer (46589738) • [email protected]
View Memorial
Baker City Herald, The (OR) - Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Baker City, 1923-2012
Donna Densley, 89, of Baker City, died on October 18, 2012 at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Baker City.
Her funeral will be held in the warmth and beauty of spring, family members said.
Donna J. Densley was born at home in Twin Falls, Idaho, on May 22,1923, to Burton and Edith Dunn. She was just 18 months younger than her only sibling, Mary Jane.
Her father farmed and her mother was an elementary school teacher. When her father decided teaching would be more profitable than farming, his quest for more education led the family from Idaho to Corvallis, where her parents attended and graduated from Oregon Agricultural College.
Donna attended first grade at Corvallis; then, after her parents' graduation, the family moved to Shedd where her father was principal and her mother taught English and home economics.
She had fond memories of her grandmother living with them, cooking the meals and making wonderful chair beds in the kitchen when she or her sister were ill. Tap dancing and piano lessons were begun for both girls.
Three years later, her father's profession dictated another move, this time to Woodburn. As those were the Depression years and two incomes for only one family was frowned upon, her mother did not teach.
Donna enjoyed Woodburn except for the summers, picking berries eight hours a day and receiving just $1.
The next move was to Coquille, where Donna attended and graduated from high school. Always a "doer" and not a "sitter," playing trombone in the marching band and cheerleading were just two of her extracurricular activities. After school hours she worked, first at a café then a creamery.
Oregon State was the natural choice for college and that was where she met Dave.
World War II had begun; they were married in December 1943, and soon after Dave was in Europe with the 89th Division. Donna lived in Eugene with her mother.
Their daughter was born in 1945. In April 1946, Dave returned, completed his college degree and the move was made to his hometown of Richland.
Besides being a homemaker, who in the summer prepared daily meals for the hay crew and then canned, she took leadership roles in 4-H, PTA, CowBelles and Eastern Star. She played bridge, sewed, knitted, crocheted and took pleasure in entertaining family and friends.
Later for a time, she volunteered as an aide at Richland Elementary and knitted caps to be given to newborns at the hospital.
After Dave's heart surgery in 1987, life changed from a focus on ranching to a focus on golf. She loved it and the people involved.
In 1989 she made a hole-in-one. Wintertime meant golfing trips to southern California, Nevada and Utah. In 1996, the ranch was sold and they moved next to their dearly loved spot next to the golf course.
For years, until no longer physically active, Dave and Donna attended every Pine-Eagle High School football and basketball game and music program.
She fiercely loved their little dachshund, and he was devoted to her. She referred to him as her best friend in the whole world.
Donna was always busy, gregarious, full of fun, a joy to be with, small in stature, big on spunk, family members said. She had a passion for chocolate, clothing, purses, shoes, hankies, dancing, '40s and '50s big band music, and was wicked with a can of spray paint. For 10 years, dementia slowly stole all of her joys of life except her love of chocolate, music and dance.
The family expressed "many thank yous and blessings upon the dear friends who made more than a special effort on Wednesday evenings to continue to come to Dave and Donna's home." They also expressed their gratitude to the staffs of Heart 'n' Home, Ashley Manor and St. Alphonsus for their professional and compassionate care.
"You are appreciated more than words can express."
Survivors include her husband, David; her daughter and son-in-law, Janice and Tim Heater; two grandsons; two great-grandsons (plus one soon-to-be great-grandson); and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation through Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834.
Baker City Herald, The (OR) - Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Contributor: Jean Quentmeyer (46589738) • [email protected]
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