Donna J. Elmer

Donna Jean Elmer, 84 a longtime Wenatchee resident, past away quietly Thursday January 13, 2011 at HighlineNursing Home after a 3 year battle with dementia. She was a remarkable wife, mother, garndmother, and friend, whotouched many lives.Donna was born on September 27, 1926 at Wilson Creek, WA to Felix and Mary Mickelson where they lived until she was 3 years old. Her family then moved to Entiat, WA where she went through school graduating from high school in 1944. Shortly thereafter she met a handsome auto mechanic named Vernon “Vernie” Elmer, her sole mate for over 50 years. They were married on September 27, 1946. They had one son Mike, who currently resides in Wenatchee. Mike had two children, Leslie (34) of Seattle and Mathew (32) of Kenmore. These grandchildren werean important blessing to Donna and Vernie. They rarely missed any of Leslie and Mathew’s special occasions or athletic events as they were growing up. Donna began work in the Wenatchee area as the first employee at Dusty’s In & Out in 1949 and worked there for 8 1/2 years. She then worked as checker at Peter Rabbit for 2-3 years before moving on to be a bank teller at the National Bank of Commerce/Rainier Bank. She retired from Rainier Bank in 1979. In her early years she was a member of the American Legion Post 10 Drill Team and the North Central Chevrolet bowling team who both competed in several state competitions winning more than not. Donna and the girls did manage to have a little fun along the way.Donna has been a very active volunteer over the years earning a nickname of “ Dynamic Donna”. She kept busy with the American Legion Auxiliary and the 40 & 8 Salon (an Honorary Group) for 50 years. This entailed serving as President for 2 years and holding other offices and committee chairmanships. She was responsible for many, many meals functions, charitable events that the American Legion hosted. She also volunteered for Our House (cancer care). Donna assisted cancer patients in any way she could because cancer had affected some very dear people in herlife, her mother, father, brother, husband and goddaughter. She volunteered as a hostess at Our House, driving guests to the clinic for treatment and wrote thousands of thank you’s for donation and memorials. Survivors include her son Michael Elmer of Wenatchee, two grandchildren, Leslie Elmer of Seattle and Matthew Elmer of Kenmore, her goddaughters Karen Knell, Renae Post and Pattie Irish all of East Wenatchee. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, husband and by goddaughter Jenean Cockrum. A Memorial Reception will be held 2:00 P.M. Monday, January 24, 2011 at the American Legion Post 10, 208 N. Wenatchee Avenue Memorial donations may be to Our House, 1708 Castlerock Ave, Wenatchee, WA 98801; Telephone 509-663-6964. Please express your thoughts and memories on the online guest book at jonesjonesbetts.com. Jones & Jones ~ Betts Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements

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Donna J. Elmer

September 27, 1926 - January 13, 2011