Mary Madonna “Donna” Pakar, 91, passed away at her residence in Chehalis, Wash., Wednesday, March 21, 2018. She was born in St. Louis, Mo., June 30, 1926, to William and MaryAnn (Busselman) Heidenfelder and attended Catholic schools. After graduation, she contributed to our country’s war effort by working as a Rosie the Riveter of sorts at a local factory.
Donna married the love of her life, Joseph John ‘Joe’ Pakar in St. Louis, Jan. 26, 1946. The couple moved often during Joe’s military career before settling in Centralia, Wash.
She was a happy homemaker, who loved her flower garden, attending sewing club and keeping a clean home for her family. Donna was very active at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Chehalis. Over the years, she was a CCD teacher/principal, a member of the Legion of Mary and the altar society, a funeral luncheon coordinator and a eucharistic minister at church and at Providence Hospital. Donna enjoyed volunteering in many other capacities that are too numerous to list.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 32 years, Joe; parents, William and MaryAnn; brother, Paul Heid; and sister, Virginia Hausladen.
Donna is survived by her daughters, Mary Ann (Richard) Johnston of Riverside, Wash., Kathy (Donald) Ramacher of Chehalis and Joann Pakar of Chehalis; sons, David Pakar of Seattle, Daniel (Teresa) Pakar of Seattle and Robert Pakar of Chehalis; grandsons, Ray Johnston, Brad Ramacher, Andrew (Kasey) Ramacher and Jake Ramacher; brother, Richard Heidenfelder; sisters, Catherine McHugh and Sister William Anne SSND; and many nieces and nephews in Washington and Missouri.
A memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, April 9, 2018, at St. Joseph Church, 157 SW 6th St, Chehalis, with a reception to follow in the parish hall. Interment will be private.
Memorial donations in Donna’s name may be made to St. Joseph School in Chehalis or to Assured Hospice, 2120 Northpark Dr., Centralia, Wash.
