Donna Marie Zimmerman

Donna Marie (Kittelson) Zimmerman passed away peacefully at her Longview home Sept. 15, 2021, following her battle with cancer. She was 88.

She was born July 29, 1933, in Drake, ND, to Beatrice (Frantsvog) and Clarence Kittelson. She attended school in Butte, ND, until the family moved to the Castle Rock area in 1948. She graduated from Toutle Lake High School in 1952.

She and Donald Eklund were married July 10, 1950. They had two daughters, and the family moved to San Jose, Calif., in 1963. She and Don divorced in 1980, but remained lifelong friends. She married William Zimmerman on March 7, 1981, in San Jose.

Donna was employed by Pacific Bell Telephone Co. in San Jose in the accounting department, retiring Dec. 31, 1987, after 21 years of service. She and Bill moved to Tacoma, Wash., in 1989, relocating to Rochester, Wash., in 1995 and settling in Longview five years ago.

Donna enjoyed many crafts including needlepoint, quilting, card-making, knitting and crocheting. Over the years, she collected several Harlequin dolls, giving each one a special name. During their retirement, Donna and Bill enjoyed RV traveling with friends throughout much of the U.S. They also traveled to Australia, Germany, Scandinavia and took several trips to Hawaii. She rarely missed the opportunity to attend family reunions, especially reconnecting with her many cousins in North Dakota and was always ready for a game of cards.

Family and friends were always important to her. Her love for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren was apparent in every way and every day. She attended as many of her grandchildren’s events as possible. Being “Nana” was her most favorite job.

She was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church, most recently Bethany Lutheran Church in Longview. Her Christian faith was unwavering, even into her final days.

In addition to her husband of 40 years, she is survived by two daughters, Cheryll (Jerry) Borgaard of Castle Rock and Janet (Richard) Rowley of San Jose; three grandchildren, Carrie (Eric) Bowman of Vancouver, Megan (Judy) O’Brien of Durham, NC, and Jordan Rowley of San Jose; four great-grandchildren, Evan, Lucile and Parker O’Brien and Owen Rowley; a brother, Harlan (Shirley) Kittelson of Castle Rock; several nieces and nephews; and several stepchildren and their families.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Cyril Kittelson of Castle Rock and an infant baby sister.

A memorial service will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, at Bethany Lutheran Church, 2900 Parkview Drive, Longview. Masks are required.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to ROOF Community Services, P.O. Box 312, Rochester, WA 98579.