Pauline Annette Donaldson

Pauline Annette (Rydbom) Donaldson passed away suddenly on December 28, 2025 at St. Peter's Hospital in Olympia, Washington. Polly was born April 19, 1947 in Wadena, Minnesota, the youngest of 11 children born to Boyd Arthur Rydbom and Anna Frances (Kluenenberg) Rydbom. She attended St. Ann's Catholic Church and St. Ann's Elementary School before graduating from Wadena High School in 1965.

Polly worked during and after high school in local restaurants and for a local optometrist in Wadena. In 1967 she relocated to Centralia, WA to be near her oldest sister Mary Ann. She was employed by Bank Check Supply where she met her future husband Mike. They were married on August 16, 1969, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Centralia. Their son Stephen was born in 1971 in Olympia, WA and a few months later they moved to Kelso, WA where she was a busy stay at home mom. They moved to East Wenatchee, WA in 1976 where she continued to be a stay at home mom. She was approached and offered employment at local businesses, but accepted only if the job had the flexibility to allow her to take care of her family. They returned to Olympia in 1992, and she was hired by Thurston County where she continued to work until her retirement in 2012.

Throughout her life, Polly enjoyed visiting, sharing, and having fun with her family, friends, and neighbors. She especially loved to spend time with Steve, Tricia, and her granddaughters. They were the light of her life. Polly enjoyed gardening, reading, cooking and baking, playing golf, and planning new adventures. She and Mike travelled to Minnesota every year to visit her family and friends. They also travelled to 40 states including Alaska and Hawaii, as well as Ireland, Scotland, parts of northern England, and most of Canada. She always loved returning to her home. Her personality and sense of humor will be missed by all who knew her.

Preceding her in death were her parents Boyd and Anna Rydbom, siblings Mary Ann Lewis of Winlock, WA, Bernice Kern, Stella Uselman, James Rydbom, twins who died in infancy, Joyce Schmitz, and LeRoy Rydbom, all in the greater Wadena area. Surviving her are her husband Mike Donaldson of Olympia, son Steve Donaldson and his wife Tricia, granddaughters Makenna, Calli, and Addison all of East Wenatchee, sisters Doris (Leo) Tabery of Bluffton, MN, Patricia (Ron) Bartels of Wadena, MN, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by Mills and Mills Funeral Home in Tumwater.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Michael's Church in Olympia, WA on February 27th at 12:00pm. A Celebration of Life will be held immediately following mass.

The funeral service may be viewed via a livestream link at

https://youtube.com/live/gA20sUSHvn0?feature=share