Donna Mae Arntzen Fisher

Donna and her twin brother, Donald, were born to Emma and Peter Arntzen on May 24, 1925 in Seattle. They joined their twin brother & sister, Ruth and Richard, who were 1-1/2 years older. The four siblings were the nucleus of the children in their Ballard neighborhood. During the summer, they made nearly daily trips to Golden Gardens, Carkeek Park, Green Lake plus occasional trips to other lakes in the area. They frequented the Woodland Park Zoo, and what was then Playland on the shores of Bitter Lake.

Donna’s father was a refrigeration engineer for Booth Fisheries and was friends with the local fishermen. This came in handy during the depression and Donna often remarked that she was raised on fish. Her mother made their home a haven and gathering place for family and friends, particularly on special holidays.

Donna graduated from Ballard High School in 1942. She worked at Northwest Mutual Fire Association, Pacific Highway Transport, Cork Insulation, for County Commissioner Dean McLean, County Treasurer Abe Tremper, and Boeing Aircraft in the Minuteman III program. In 1987 Donna retired from Seattle City Light after 17 years, working most of the time in the Superintendent’s Office.

At 16 year of age, she and her sister Ruth became interested in horseback riding at McCleave’s Riding Academy. During that time, they won various ribbons and trophies in many horse shows. Donna went on to teach equitation at Clearbrook Riding Academy in Lake City.

She married Richard Owens Fisher in 1953. Donna and her husband had a love of boating and fishing. They both belonged to the Edmonds Coast Guard Auxiliary and they spent many weekends fishing out of Edmonds, and cruising the San Juan and Gulf Islands on their boat the “Vitamin Sea”. They were both amateur radio operators (Hams) and her call letters were WA7ERL. They traveled extensively in their motor home visiting various U.S. states and Canada, spending some winters in Yuma, Arizona.

Donna joined the Ahmes #41 Unit of the Ladies Shriners in February 1986. She was a member of the Greeters Unit and was a Past High Priestess of the court. She was also a member of the Retired City Light Employees Assoc. (RCLEA) and the Assoc. of Retired Seattle City Employees (ARSCE) serving for awhile as Financial Secretary and then as Board Member of each.

The Fishers lived in the Ridgecrest Area until 1982 when they moved to Hawthorne Hills. Most of Donna’s spare time was spent keeping a large, landscaped garden under control. When this became too much to handle, she moved into a condo in North Seattle.

Donna was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Fisher, her twin brother, Don Arntzen and her siblings, Ruth Trott and Richard Arntzen who were also twins.

Donna is survived by her stepdaughter, Annette Alexander; grandchildren, Susan (Mike) Sellers, Catherine Ghavamian, Steve Greiner, Rory Sherman; and great grandchildren, Krystal and Cameron Ghavamian, Shelby and Molly Sellers and William and Stevie Greiner; plus several nieces, nephews and cousins; many loving extended family and friends. She always thought a great deal of them and loved them all.