1933
2013
Donna was born on July 10, 1933 in Portland, Oregon to W. Laverne and Frances Lucille (Barker) Tozer. Donna lived in southeast Portland with her family and attended Glencoe Elementary school. At age 14 her family moved to Roseburg where she graduated from Roseburg High School in 1951.
Donna developed a wonderful talent for writing, often putting her thoughts on paper in the form of poetry or stories. This hobby turned into a career when she began work for the Roseburg News Review as a reporter. It was during this time she met her first husband Merle Pugh, they married shortly after meeting and began a family. They were blessed with three children, Deborah, Gail and Eric. Merle was offered a position with the Journal in Portland where they relocated, later on returning to Roseburg to again work for the News Review, then finally moving back to Portland where Merle started work with the Oregonian. They later moved to Garden Home. Eventually, Merle and Donna decided to separate.
Donna worked for the Roseburg News Review, Sawyers (GAF) from 1962-1964, Tektronix from 1966-1976, and the Times Publications from 1978-1983. She received certification from Western School of Floral Design in 1984 and worked as a floral designer specializing in silk arrangements. She enjoyed knitting, music (especially Johnny Mathis), ceramics, bowling and home decorating. She was the matriarch of her family and took great pride in organizing family celebrations such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. Donna enjoyed taking care of her home and everyone she loved dearly.
In February of 1963 Donna remarried after meeting Earl Marquart, together they attended events with the Elks, camped all over Oregon and traveled with their boat. Often times the family would go camping at Diamond Lake or boating at Prineville Reservoir. After 35 years of marriage, Earl passed away on September 30, 1998.
Happiness was brought back into Donna's life when she married Bruce Reed. Donna and Bruce had known each other for 40 years, Bruce a widower himself could identify the feelings of losing a spouse. Donna and Bruce began dating and married in September of 2005. Together they enjoyed trips to the Oregon Coast, cruises to Alaska, Caribbean, Hawaii, New England and Canada. Saturday nights were reserved for dancing and they both shared many friends in the Beaverton Elks Lodge.
Donna enjoyed being a wife, mother and grandmother and when her health no longer permitted her to do so, it was incredibly hard for her. She passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 21, 2013 in Portland, Oregon.
Remaining family include her husband, Bruce Reed of Beaverton, daughters Debbie (Rod) Bach of Monmouth, Gail Downing of Boise, and son Eric (Peggy) Pugh of Clackamas; step-children Michelle Marquart, Bruce Reed Jr. and Sherrie Reed-Guerin; sisters Janice (Owen Smith) Curry of Bend and Joy (Steve) Malone of Roseburg; step-brother Randy (Jonelle) Jones of Medford; cousins Marty Brown of Newberg and Rick Krohn of McMinnville; numerous nieces and nephews, eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
A private interment will take place at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be made in Donna's memory to the Elks Children's Eye Clinic at OHSU by visiting: http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/health/how-you-can-help/index.cfm
Everyone who knew Donna is encouraged to leave a message, share a story or offer condolences at www.youngsfuneralhome.org
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
December 21, 2014
Kelly White
Grandma,
You are greatly missed, but never forgotten, I will keep you near during the holiday and through out the year.
Love Kelly
January 10, 2014
Love and kisses always
Bruce
January 8, 2014
Claire Wallace
Donna you will be greatly missed. It saddend me to have learned of your passing. I will always remember the saying "Icky Sticky Ewie Gooey." Rest in peace Grandma Donna.
January 6, 2014
Penny Douglas
I appreciate reading about Donna's life and her many talents. What a wonderful lady. I'm sorry for your loss. She is missed by so many.
January 5, 2014
Donna was a wonderful lady, she will be
greatly missed. May all of your good
memories always live.
Fondly Dolores Geier
January 3, 2014
Staff of Young's Funeral Home
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
January 1, 2014
Gail Downing
Mom,
As they say:"Rest in Peace". You were the staple of the family,of course you will be missed. Enjoy the Peace and comfort for eternity.
Miss you, Love Forever Gail
December 31, 2013
Mary & Mel Church
We will miss you. Rest peacefully without any more pain. You were a mentor to many an ER wife around the Elks lodge for those of us who followed you. Love from us.
December 31, 2013
Donna always made me feel welcome at any function we were at. A lovely lady.you will be missed at Conventions.
Jerry & Jean Nelson
December 30, 2013
Carol Berry
What a lovely lady she was. We always enjoyed conventions with she and Bruce. She will be missed by all.
Charlie and Carol Berry
Oregon State Elks Association
December 30, 2013
Carole Pletz
Donna, you were always wearing a smile and enjoying yourself at Beaverton Lodge activities. You will be sadly missed!
December 30, 2013
Nancy Johnson
A lovely lady with a generous heart who gave many hours to the projects and events of the Beaverton Elks. She will be missed!
December 29, 2013
Marty Brown
Donna Rae, I have many happy memories of getting together at Grandma and Grandpa's house for Christmas and other family events. As my "oldest" cousin, I always admired you. My Mom always enjoyed your visits and lunches together with Helen. You and your family are in my thoughts.
December 29, 2013
Carolyn Scherner
Donna Rae, I remember you as Janice's older sister. I always felt kind of intimidated by you. You were so pretty and to me very sophisticated.
December 29, 2013
Gene and Kathy Guenzi
Donna was always a friend and participant in the Beaverton Elks activities. We enjoyed her presence and offer our sincere sympathy to her family.
December 29, 2013
Eric and Peggy
Mom, it seems one minute we were planning Christmas with you, and the next minute we were having it without you. The holidays (and our lives) will never seem the same. You are loved and missed.
December 29, 2013
B. D.
Our loved ones who have died leave an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love. Please accept my sincere sympathy.
December 27, 2013
Even though there was 20 years difference in our age, you were always MY sister. You always looked out for me, gave me advice but most of all I know how much you loved me. And I was so honored to have you as my sister. I will miss seeing you at Elks Conventions. I love you!!! Joy
December 26, 2013
Janice Curry
Dearest Sis,
I miss you so much. I wanted to call you late Christmas Eve and have our yearly talk about how wonderful our time with our families was, but I told God instead and he said he would tell you. Remember to save me a rocking chair...I will be there with you soon. Tell Mom Hi for me . We can all "catch up" while we rock and drink our coffee!
Always my love, Lil Sis Janny
December 26, 2013
Debbie
Mom, I hope your first Christmas in heaven was amazing.
December 24, 2013
Kelly White
You will ALWAYS be in my thoughts and Prayers, you will be missed but never forgotten, All my love,and prayers - Kelly
Showing 1 - 21 of 21 results
Funeral services provided by:
Young's Funeral Home - Tigard OR11831 SW Pacific Highway, Portland, OR 97223
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more