Donna Jean Mazie

Donna Jean (Halgren) Mazie was born on September 9, 1936, in Winnebago, Illinois, to Alfred and Grace (Rylett Nason) Halgren. She died February 5, 2026, following a brief illness. She was 89 years old.

Donna Jean was the youngest of six children, born into a Midwestern family in the midst of a challenging decade. As a child, she boarded a train with her mother and older sister, Barb, and set out for the West Coast. They soon reunited with her father, and the young family made a home together in Naches, WA. The state would remain “home” for the rest of her long life.

Donna attended Naches Valley High School in the early 1950s. She maintained many close friendships with her classmates that lasted well into her older years. For decades, she would meet up with a group of ladies whom her family jokingly referred to as “The Golden Girls.” She looked forward to each and every monthly lunch date.

Donna and Clayton were married on July 20, 1957. They enjoyed a long, happy marriage and celebrated sixty-four wedding anniversaries before Clayton’s death in 2021. Their love and commitment to each other ran deep. They raised two daughters together: Candi Elaine, born August 9, 1958, and Lorita Grace, born March 14, 1963. For several years, the family lived in Algona, Washington, where Clayton worked at The Boeing Company, before relocating back to the Yakima Valley. In 1971, the couple purchased land in Tieton, Washington on which they operated and apple orchard for the next 30 years. Their daughters, and later, their grandchildren, spent many happy years helping Donna in the garden, “changing water” in the orchard with Clayton, and sneaking bites of fresh-baked biscuits and homemade cranberry sauce and apple butter. Those memories will be forever cherished.

Donna and Clayton sold the family orchard in the early 2000s and moved into a small home in Yakima, Washington. They thoroughly enjoyed their retirement years together, frequenting the local lunch buffets, stretching a $20 bill on the penny slots at Legends Casino, and “getting their steps in” walking laps at Shopko. But what they loved more than anything was spending time with their grandchildren. Donna and Clayton were ever-present grandparents – devoted and dependable. They were there for childcare and sick days, holidays and school pick-ups, hands-on class projects, field trips, farmers markets and soccer games.

Clayton and Donna moved in with their daughter Lorita near the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Following a battle with Lymphoma and Clayton’s death in 2021. Lorita became Donna’s full-time caregiver. Despite the challenges of growing older, Donna had some more living to do! With Lorita by her side, she spent weeks at a time living on the Oregon Coast. She traveled across the Western states, throughout the Midwest, and even spent a week last summer living in a little, rustic cabin in an East Tennessee forest.

Donna Jean was a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She was deeply joyful, kind, loving, and holy. She lived her faith in quiet, yet profoundly impactful ways. She smiled often. She was quick to strike up conversation with a stranger and always willing to help someone in need. She leaves a legacy of love in the lives she touched. She will be missed and remembered.

Donna was preceded in death by her husband Clayton; her parents, Alred and Grace; four brothers (Arthur, Richard, Harold and Fred Nason); her sister, Barbara Workenhour; and nieces and nephews. She is survived by her daughters, Candi Austin (Harold) and Lorita Stohr (Jeff); grandchildren, Joshua Austin (Michelle), Whitney Stohr (Jason), Jasmine Stohr, and Kaleb Stohr (Kimberly); great-grandchildren, Rian (Bubba) and Harold Austin, Malachi and Deacon Stohr-Hendrickson, and Rookie Engelbrecht; her niece LaDonna Chambard (Dave); and a wide community of family, dear friends and neighbors.

Arrangements are being managed by Keith & Keith Funeral Home. The family will be holding a private graveside service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in the name of Donna Mazie to: Kids Rise Fund, 2166 Palisade Blvd., DuPont, Washington 98327. This 501c3 nonprofit organization works to strengthen communities and support kids and families with diverse needs by promoting inclusion, encouraging friendships, and addressing barriers to individual success.