Donna Patrick, age 48, passed away in her Troutdale, Oregon, home on Thursday, October 27, 2011, after a diligent and courageous fight with cancer. A celebration of her life will be held at the Mt. Scott Funeral Chapel in Portland, Oregon, on Sunday, October 30, 2011. Services will be held at the United Methodist Church in White, South Dakota, on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. with interment following in Fairview Cemetery. Visitations will be held at the Eidsness Funeral Chapel in White, South Dakota, on Tuesday, November 1, 2011 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Donna Faye Patrick was born on February 19, 1963, in Brookings, South Dakota, to Murl and Bernita (Benning) Patrick. Donna lived on the family farm east of White and graduated from Deubrook High School in 1981. While in high school she was actively involved in track, basketball and played softball.

Donna furthered her education at Rochester Community College in Rochester, Minnesota, and received her Associate of Arts degree in 1983. She then continued her education at Westmar College in Le Mars, Iowa where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Services. In college she was involved in basketball and track and still holds the intercollegiate javelin throw record.

Following college, she accepted a position with the Denison Job Corps in Denison, Iowa. This would be the start of her 26 year career with Job Corps. Donna held various positions within Job Corps in Denison: Recreation Advisor, Recreation Supervisor and Vocations Manager.

In 2001 she transferred with Job Corps to the Springdale Job Corps Center in Springdale, Oregon, where she held the positions of Education Services Manager and Programs Director. In January 2008 she was promoted to Center Director and held that position until the time of her death.

Donna loved her job, colleagues, and the diverse group of young people to which she dedicated her professional life. Donna’s consistently positive demeanor and solutions approach to her work and personal life made things that seemed impossible to others…possible. She displayed integrity, dignity, and respect in word and deed while maintaining her sense of humor and that ever-present “twinkle” in her eye.

She received numerous awards throughout her career and continued to grow professionally through corporate training and development programs. In July 2011, the U.S. Dept. of Labor announced that the Springdale Job Corps Center was Number One in the nation for their 2010-2011 year. Donna was thrilled to have accomplished this ultimate award as Center Director.

In her spare time she enjoyed golf, hiking, walking on the ocean beach, traveling and spending time with her friends. She was proud of her hole-in-one on the golf course in Denison, Iowa, on September 12, 1999.

Donna was a loving daughter, sister, and friend. Survivors include her parents, Murl & Bernita Patrick, of White, South Dakota; brothers, Gene (Pam) Patrick of Rapid City, SD, Gary (Rhonda) of Brookings, SD, Dale (Kay) of Brookings, SD, James (Susan) of Watertown, SD, Dan (Sondra) of Brookings, SD; a sister, Jo Patrick of White, SD, and numerous nieces and nephews and many special friends for whom she cared deeply. She was preceded in death by her grandparents; Adolphine & Elijah Benning, Ben & Irene (Patrick) Grieme, step-grandfather, Les Grieme; a niece, Ashley; and two nephews, Brady & Adam Patrick.

- Eidsness Funeral Home