Donna Louise Brannen – Lassen –Thaete, loving, caring, humble, and always smiling, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother passed away Tuesday, June 26, 2018, at the age of 92, at Canyons Retirement – Memory Care.
Donna was born July 3, 1925, in Buhl, Idaho as the second child to Donavan Brannen and Glendoris Brannen. As a child she attended Buhl grade school and graduated from Buhl High School; May, 1939. Attended Henegar Business College, Salt Lake City, Utah and Northwest Christian College, Eugene, Oregon. Her siblings are John (Ellen) Brannen, Boise, ID (deceased), Grace (Robert) Vicha, Tampa Bay, Florida, Inez (Leman) Messley, Boise, Idaho.
Donna married Norbert (Bert) W. Lassen on August 15, 1947 at Clover Lutheran Church. They lived in the Clover area until 1963 when they moved to Twin Falls, Idaho. She raised and nurtured two sons: Charles W. (Darla) Lassen, Twin Falls, Idaho and Robert D. (LynnAnn) Lassen, High Springs, Florida, two grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and nine great-great grandchildren.
After the death of Norbert Lassen in April of 1983, Donna traveled and kept busy with her painting, music, and fellowship with the LWML in Twin Falls and Filer Lutheran organizations.
On November 7, 1990, Donna married Ernest T. Thaete, Filer, Idaho enjoying the extended family, travel, and building a new home of “their liking” in Twin Falls, Idaho. Step-children included: three sons, Larry (Theresa) Thaete of Lake Bluff, Ill., Keith (Sherry) Thaete of Buhl, Idaho, and Brent Thaete of Seoul, South Korea; two daughters: Eileen (Ralph) Andrews of Filer, Idaho, and Linda Gyn of Filer; nine grandchildren; and 10 great great-grandchildren. Ernest Thaete passed away on July 9, 2009 leaving a major void in her life.
After a couple of years being alone in a large home, she decided that Assisted Living would be the answer, (which she really enjoyed) driving her four-wheel walker around. As time progressed with dementia she moved to Canyons Retirement (Memory Care) facility.
We know that Donna stepped over into the arms of her Lord and Savior to a much better residence that does not have pain, sorrow, or confusion. We are sure that she is impressed with the choir, beautiful flowers, and the streets of gold.
A celebration of Donna’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at White Mortuary, 136 4th Ave. East, Twin Falls with Chaplain Donny Johnson officiating. Burial will follow at Clover Cemetery. A viewing for family and friends will take place on Tuesday from 12:00 noon until the time of the service at White Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers the family suggest memorials be given to the Alzheimer’s Association of Magic Valley. Contributions may be given to funeral chapel staff or mailed to White Mortuary, 136 4th Ave. East, Twin Falls, ID 83301.
Services are under the direction of White Mortuary, Chapel by the Park, Twin Falls.
Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.whitemortuary.com.
