Donna Terrell

Donna Jean Jackson Forsea Terrell passed away June 2, 2022 in Keating, Oregon with her family by her side.  A graveside service will be held on June 9, 1:00 PM at the Eagle Valley Cemetery.  A reception will take place at the Eagle Valley Grange following the service.

She was born to Alvin Wesley Jackson and Nellie Flora Olson Jackson July 10, 1930 in Baker, Oregon joining her older sister Dorothy Jane.  She was raised in Baker attending South Baker School, Middle school and graduated Baker High School in 1949.

She met Walter John Forsea through mutual friends.  They were married June 19, 1949 in Baker, Oregon.  They moved to the Forsea Ranch on the Snake River, between Richland and Huntington.  Even though Donna was a city girl, she quickly learned to live without electricity, cooking on a wood stove, family baths once a week, and outhouses.  She remembered fondly her Grandmother Daisy Olson living with them for a time and teaching her how to cook.  Daisy was a wonderful pie baker and that skill was passed on to Donna.   She loved the time spent living there when neighbors helped each other, got together for pinochle parties, kitchen sweats and picnics.  Everyone knew each other.  Donna and Walt had three children together, Dan, Patti and Jane.

The Forsea ranch moved their headquarters to Richland, Oregon in 1958 when the dams were put in on the Snake River and their farm ground was flooded, leaving only the range ground.  While living in Richland, she was a Girl Scout leader, a member of the Eagle Valley Grange and was on several bowling leagues at the Halfway Bowl.  Donna was a member of St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Baker.  She worked at McCurdy’s Grocery store and was a mail carrier for the Richland Post Office.

Walt and she had the opportunity to travel to Japan to tour where Walt was stationed during the clean up after World War II.  They enjoyed camping and vacations with family and friends.

They later divorced but remained friends.

Donna later married Charles Robert Terrell in 1974.  They purchased a small acreage, built a home, and started a custom haying business.  She worked at Ore-Ida Foods in Ontario, Oregon from 1974 until 1992 when she retired.  They traveled to Arizona for one winter to see if Bob’s health would improve.  He passed away May 10, 1985.  She sold the farm and moved to Ontario, Oregon.  After retiring from Ore-Ida, she worked with home health clients doing care giving, house cleaning and shopping.  She did this for several years enjoying working for the people.  She made many friends along the way. She was a member of St. Matthews Episcopal Church in Ontario, Oregon.

Donna moved to Sumpter, Oregon in 2018 to be closer to family.  She spent many evenings around the campfire having a ‘toddy’ and eating marshmallows.

Her favorite season was spring where she loved growing roses which was her favorite flower, red being her favorite color.  Donna loved to dance and play the piano.  She enjoyed listening to music even during her last days.   She loved to water ski even though she couldn’t swim.  Going to Jackpot or Wildhorse with family and friends was a favorite time for her.

 She was preceded in death by her parents Alvin and Nellie, Sister Dorothy Bogart and brother-in-law Joe Bogart, husband Robert Terrell and good friend Lyle Hollingsworth.

Donna is survived by her three children:   Dan Forsea and wife Renece of Richland, Patti Pickard and husband Clair of Keating and Jane Leatherman and husband Doug of Sumpter, eight grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, nephew Mike Bogart and her beloved dog Sara.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Best Friends of Baker or Eagle Valley Grange through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home and Cremation Services, PO Box 543 Halfway, Oregon 97834.  Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com.