Donna Jean Barnes

Donna Jean Barnes, born Donna Jean Bergreen on August 3, 1923, in Montpelier, Idaho. Donna died of cancer on November 5, 2010 in the company of her loving family at Orchard Crest Retirement Community in Spokane Valley.

Donna grew up in various locations around the northwest as her father worked on the region’s dams. She worked as a registered nurse until her marriage to Harold (Hal or Bud) Sylvester Barnes on December 28, 1945. They settled in Spokane and raised three children: Michael Phillip, Susan Betsy, and Christopher Scott Barnes. Many of the family’s most pleasant memories are from the days spent at the family’s cabin on Lake Coeur d’Alene’s Windy Bay.

Donna volunteered for Spokane’s World Fair for several years before, during and after the event. She also volunteered at the Native American museum, on the bank of the Spokane River near Gonzaga, for a number of years. After Hal’s retirement from HUD, he and Donna moved to Hayden Lake, Idaho, but began spending their winters in Mesa, Arizona, where she became further enchanted with the culture of the southwest tribes. In later years she took great pride in her impressive collection of kachina figurines and other western and Native American art works.

She and Hal eventually moved full time to Mesa. After a few years there, they moved to San Marcos, California, then Vancouver, Washington to spend more time with Michael and Susan. Hal died in Vancouver in 2001, whereupon Donna moved to Spokane Valley to be closer to Chris and his family, and other family members and friends.

For the last decade, Donna lived at Orchard Crest, where she developed many friendships with fellow residents. She was known for her sense of humor, ready candor, and readiness to help others (she spent the last several years knitting clothing and afghans for children undergoing medical treatment).

She is survived by her daughter Susan Hefta (Durham) of Vancouver, Washington, and sons Michael (Remy) of San Diego and Chris (Tammy) of Spokane Valley, and her brother Harold Rosen (Marlene) of Provo, Utah.

Arrangements under the direction of Thornhill Valley Chapel, Spokane Valley, WA.