Donna A. Mende

Donna Audrene Wold Mende, 84 years old, of East Wenatchee, passed away on Sunday, October 16, 2016 at home in East Wenatchee, Washington. Her resilience, curiosity, courage, and can-do spirit will be missed by all who loved and knew her. Donna was born in Scobey, Montana to David L. and Ellen V. Nelson Wold on December 24, 1931. Her parents and brother John Wold preceded her in death. She is survived by her brothers Duane (Dolores) Wold of Billings, MT and Darrell Wold of Spokane, WA and her sisters Beatrice Busby Geddings of Leavenworth, WA; Marian (Dallas) Hiner Johnson of Elk, WA; Judie (Dale) Engeberg of Burbank, WA; and Rachel (Louis) Conner Beall of Tallahassee, FL. Donna graduated from Mt. Ellis Academy in Bozeman, MT in 1950. She went on to earn her Teachers Certificate for Elementary Level from the North Pacific Union of the General Conference of SDA Department of Education. She taught elementary school from 1952 – 1957, 1969 at the Wenatchee SDA Church School. Donna married Milton Mende in East Wenatchee, WA on August 7, 1955. She joined her husband in the ownership and operation of Mende Excavation. They retired in 1996 and moved to Sebring, Florida, then returned to Wenatchee in 2007. Donna was a Fine Artist working with paper tole, bunka, and wood sculpture winning many awards in Sebring, Florida and Chelan County Fair ribbons. She was an avid gardener and seamstress, and delighted in her pets and taking on new projects. Donna is survived by her spouse of 61 years, Milton; her children, Curtis Dean Mende; Beverly Joy (Denny) Parker; Gary Todd Mende; and Nola Kay Smart. She greatly enjoyed her grandchildren, Filena Mende; Shauna Cook; Valerie (Matthew) Schott; Jody (Sara) Horner; Jessica (Tim) Humble; Samuel Smart; and Stewart Smart and her great-grandchildren, Kylee, Holly, Landon and Aurora Horner; Amber Cook; and Cody Mende. Her favorite grand dog Choc (15yo) passed two days after Donna. The family wishes to extend their deep felt gratitude to Bonnie Jordan who cared so wonderfully for Donna over the last several years. The Hospice Team for their support in her final days. Also John and Denise Moore for their timely and angelic help. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, October 25, 2016 at the Valley View Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1201 10th Street NE, East Wenatchee, WA 98802-4635. Viewing will begin 1 hour prior to service at the Church. Jones & Jones-Betts Funeral Home are coordinating arrangements. Condolences may be left in Donna’s online guestbook at jonesjonesbetts.com/obit.

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Donna A. Mende

December 24, 1931 - October 17, 2016