The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Donna left us peacefully in her sleep on Friday, February 23, at home in Walla Walla, surrounded by her loving family.

Donna was born on April 3, 1932, in Waitsburg, Washington, to Charles "Todd" and Emma Laughery. She was the youngest of four children. She attended school in Waitsburg and graduated from Waitsburg High School in 1950.

Shortly after graduation, she began working at the phone company as an operator, where she met the love of her life, Howard Knotts.

They were married on October 4, 1953, in Walla Walla before Howard's deployment with the Army to Korea. Their son Keith was born in 1954 while Howard was overseas.  When Howard returned, they moved to Walla Walla in 1956 at which time Donna became a homemaker.  Their daughter Shirley followed in 1959, and daughter Jackie in 1964.  

Donna was a Cub Scout & Girl Scout leader, often going on camping trips with the troops. She was passionate about the Seattle Mariners and baseball in general.  She often traveled to Phoenix for spring training.  She loved RVing with the Good Sam Club and with family.  She also enjoyed sewing and quilting.

Donna loved spending time with her grandchildren and will be dearly missed.

She is preceded in death by her parents, one sister, and two brothers.  Donna is survived by her husband of 70 years, Howard, son Keith (Cheryl) Knotts, and daughters Shirley (Kerwin) Dye and Jackie Knotts (Nick Woody).  Three grandchildren, Andrea (Justin) Goff, Zack (Alice) Knotts, Kaylee (John) Parrish, and six great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, March 1, at 2:00 p.m. at Mountain View Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to share memories of Donna and sign the online guestbook at http://www.mountainview-colonialdewitt.com.