OBITUARY

Dona Leseman Smith

June 13, 1939–August 29, 2024

Dona was reunited in heaven with her husband, daughter, and son on August 29.

Dona, and her twin brother Donie (Butch), were born in Moscow, Idaho, to Edwin and Helen Leseman on June 3, 1939.The family lived in Farmington, Wash., before moving to Dayton, Wash., when she was five years old. She attended school in Dayton until the family relocated to Santa, Idaho, in 1951. In 1954, the family moved back to Dayton where she graduated in 1957.

She married Lyle K. Smith on July 3, 1959. After their wedding, the couple moved to Salines, Calif., while her husband was in the Service. In 1960, they moved back to Dayton. They welcomed a daughter, Rhonda Lee in 1961. In 1965, on Lyle's birthday, they welcomed a son, Rodney Lyle.

Dona worked seasonally for Green Giant and Seneca for 32 years before retiring in 2001. Her hobbies included camping and going to their cabin up Jim Creek. She said going to the cabin was like a little piece of heaven and she would have lived there full time, if it were up to her. She loved seeing all the wildlife and the beauty of the mountains.

She loved her family very much and was always there for them, helping them in any way she could.

In 2021, she moved to Lacey, Wash., where she could be closer to her grandkids. This tough decision was made after the passing of her daughter, Rhonda, who had been helping to care for her. Rhonda stepped in after Dona's beloved husband of 60 years, Lyle, had passed in 2019. Unfortunately, Dona and Lyle's son, Rod, had passed in 2016, as well.

Dona is preceded in death by her husband, her daughter, her son, her parents, her twin brother, her two other brothers, Mel, and Byrl Leseman, her two sisters, Lois Russell, and Hertha Bauman, and two grandchildren who passed in early childhood, Randi, five months, and Jeffrey, two and a half years.

Dona is survived by her grandkids, Kim (Josh) Maners, Mike (Becca) Thompson and great grandkids, Whitney Thompson, Brock Maners, Haylee Maners, and Bella Thompson.

She will be greatly missed and always remembered by her grandkids for the best "monster" cookies, an open door, and so much love for them.

A graveside service at Dayton cemetery is planned for spring in 2025. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice.