Donna Kay Cook Poffenberger returned to her Heavenly Father on April 18, 2021. While her passing was unexpected, it was peaceful with loved ones with her. There is no doubt that she had a joyful reunion with her husband, Larry, son Gary and her parents.
She was born in San Diego, CA, March 16, 1939 to Berlyn and Estella Cook. Donna was the middle of five children and grew up in a loving home. After graduating from Lincoln High School in 1957, she married her sweetheart, Larry on February 8, 1958. They were sealed for Time and All Eternity in the Los Angeles Temple February 25, 1967. Less than a year after they were married, their first of seven children, Terry (Kathy) was born, Tracie (Jeff), and Gary, who only lived one day, followed. Danny (Keirstin), Duane (Emily), Heidi (Jeff) and Nanci (Danny) followed through the years.
In 1978, they moved the family from San Diego, CA to Spokane, WA where only Larry had visited once as a boy. Spokane Valley was their home for the rest of their lives. Donna loved to laugh and naturally instilled a wonderful sense of humor in her children. As a lifelong, active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she had a firm testimony of her Savior Jesus Christ.
Donna’s sweetheart of 55 years, Larry, passed away in 2010 and Donna stayed in a wonderful home surrounded by family and friends. She was preceded in death by her older sister Marian. She leaves behind her brother Bill Cook (Karol), sister Sharon Heller (Larry), brother Dennis (Liz), 24 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren with 2 on the way, and innumerable friends.
