Donna Therese Bergquist

With an amazing persistence, inspirational courage, and unparalleled strength, Donna Bergquist made an unforgettable impression on many people during her lifetime. On Dec. 22 she transitioned peacefully to larger life after many years of living with Parkinson’s disease, keeping her smile and sense of humor through it all. Donna was born in Chicago, Illinois on Jan. 3, 1927 to the late Catherine M. Dunham and Frank M. Dunham. When she was in 5th grade, the family moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where she attended St. Augustine’s parish school and Roosevelt High School. She graduated from Iowa State College (later University) in 1948, with a pre-med major. Due to her father’s ill health, instead of attending medical school, she returned to Des Moines and helped run her father’s real estate office. She married James William (Bill) Bergquist on Sept. 15, 1951, moving to California by train, living in Hollywood while he was in graduate school, and starting their family. The family moved to La Canada in 1958, and Donna and Bill raised 11 children. After some years, Donna returned to working in real estate and eventually established her own company, working as a broker for many years in that area of California. Donna and Bill, and the entire family, were greatly blessed to have Bill's sister and husband, Ann and Dick Redmond, and their four girls, living nearby in La Canada. Ann has been a wonderful aunt to all the Bergquist children throughout the decades. Donna's husband died in 1987, after 36 years of marriage, and Donna moved to Atascadero in 1996, continuing her work there as a real estate agent for a number of years, and enjoyed being near several of her children and their families. St. William’s Roman Catholic Church in Atascadero was where Donna found great friends, and participated in many activities and community outreach opportunities. She loved to travel, and never missed attending any gathering or party of family or friends. And with 11 children, and their families, and her many friends, that was a significant number of birthday parties and other events, year around. Donna is survived by her brother and his wife, Charles and Rosalie Dunham, who reside in Des Moines. She is survived by her 11 children: Catherine (husband Mike Packard), James “Jim”, Mary (husband Steve Scott), Brian (wife Cassie), Tom, John (wife Joy), Tim (wife Norka), Joe (wife Kellie), Ann (husband Andy Sensibaugh), Robert “Bob” (fiancé Carly), and Paul (wife Janelle). In addition, Donna leaves 18 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and three step-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends. A visitation for Donna Bergquist will be held at Chapel of The Roses, 3450 El Camino Real in Atascadero on Friday, Dec. 26 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., with viewing from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. The rosary will start at 6:30 p.m. On the following day, Saturday, Dec. 27 the funeral mass will be held at St. William’s Catholic Church, 6410 Santa Lucia Rd. (off Traffic Way), in Atascadero at 10 a.m. The committal service will immediately follow at Atascadero District Cemetery, Cemetery Road in Atascadero. For more information please visit Donna’s online tribute www.chapeloftherosesatascadero.com. Services are in the care of Chapel of the Roses Mortuary.