Donna J. McGuin Winkler, 79

Donna J. McGuin Winkler, 79, of Elma, Wash., passed away on Feb. 22, 2013, at Evergreen Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Olympia, Wash.

Graveside services were held at 2 p.m. Friday, March 1, 2013, at the Masonic Cemetery in Elma.

Donna left this world to go to a great celebration after a long and hard struggle with Parkinson’s disease and dementia. Her family is comforted in knowing they will join her there one day.

Donna was born on March 19, 1933, in Hazelton, Idaho. She graduated from Bonners Ferry High School in 1951, sharing a special unity and bonding with her classmates.

She worked for many years as a bookkeeper after which she pursued a life dream of being a nurse. She graduated from Centralia College in 1992. She worked with local nursing homes in Grays Harbor, taking care of patients, establishing courses for CNA programs and working with patients with dementia.

She was a long-standing member of the Faith Lutheran church, participating in Bible study.

Donna enjoyed farming, reading, the beauty of flowers and writing letters. Most of all she enjoyed her kids, especially her grandchildren.

She was a devoted mother and grandmother attending any and all sporting events. She was their biggest and loudest fan. She faithfully followed her son throughout the U.S. and Mexico when he was a member of the U.S. trapshooting team.

Surviving her are husband, Robert Winkler, and family of Elma; daughters, Kathleen (Kenneth) McElroy of Elma, Lucinda (Greg) Vautour of Tieton, Wash.; son, Patrick (Sherri) McGuin of Summit Lake; two sisters, Phyllis and Ina; 13 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and long-time friends, Rosalyn and Eunice.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Marie Wasemiller; sisters, Leota and Houlda Priscilla; brothers, Harold and Laverne; and first husband, Dennis McGuin.

Visit and sign the online tribute to Donna at www.whitesidefamilymortuaries.com

Arrangements are entrusted to Whiteside Family Mortuary in Elma.