Donna Jean (Tess) Dormaier, age 79, transferred her residency from Earth to Heaven April 15, 2008. Her passing was peaceful, following her life spent loving her Lord and caring for her family and friends. Donna was born on March 2, 1929, in Rocklyn, WA, to Leonard and Hannah (Bakenhus) Tess, joining a sister, Joanne. Her parents farmed near Rocklyn, and later, Alstown, WA, where she attended grade school in a one-room schoolhouse, and the Waterville Schools. While growing up, she was a bit of a tom-boy. Adventures included being struck by lightning twice, run over by a plow and knocking her dad's bull unconscious with a rock. The Tess family attended Waterville Assembly of God Church, and at a joint church fellowship meeting, she met Earl Dormaier. She described him as this cute boy who pushed her on the swing. Before her senior year, the family moved to Davenport, from where she graduated in 1947. She worked for National Bank of Commerce, in Almira, as a bank clerk, till she married Earl in 1951. They farmed on the "Dude Ranch" in the Mold area north of Coulee City for six years, where Roger and Joyce were born to them. Moving to Hartline to farm with two of Earl's brothers, they had Alvin and later adopted Daryl. Later in life, she worked in the Hartline Post Office for several years. She was very active in the Hartline Assembly of God, teaching the younger age kids in Sunday School till late in her 60's. She loved people and kept in touch with many by Christmas letter. This included many Japanese Agricultural Trainees who attended Big Bend Community College and were hosted for weekend visits from 1968 to 1978. She and Earl visited some of the former Japanese trainees in Japan, as well as several missionary friends on a trip to the Far East. Earl and Donna were married 51 years, before Earl passed away in December 2004. January 2005, Donna moved to assisted living at Hearthstone Inn in Moses Lake. As her Alzheimer's was requiring more personal attention, in November 2007, she moved to Peace 'N' Comfort Home in Bothell, WA, under the fine care of the Bostan family. Since Easter, she had been hospitalized due to complications from esophageal cancer, which finally ended her life. Donna was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Joanne Dormaier; and husband, Earl. She is survived by her children, Roger and Jan Dormaier of Lynden, WA, Joyce and T.J. Ellis of Kirkland, WA, Alvin Dormaier of Kamiah, ID and Daryl Dormaier of Hartline, WA; and six grandchildren. Funeral Services were held April 26, 2008, at Hartline Assembly of God Church, Hartline, WA, followed by Graveside Services at the Hartline Cemetery. Memorials may be given in memory of Donna, to Hartline Assembly of God Church Wheelchair Ramp Fund, Hartline Cemetery District, or a charity of your choice. Strate Funeral Home of Davenport, WA, is in charge of the arrangements.


Published in the Wenatchee World from 4/28/2008 - 5/1/2008.