Donna Lee Tanner

Donna Tanner passed away on Friday, December 28 at home in Graham, WA surrounded by family. She is survived by her husband of 39 years, Dan L. Tanner, her daughters Kimberly (Keith) McCoy, Janeen Jones and Rene’ (Martin) Chick; grandchildren Samantha, Savanah, and Tanner McCoy, Brook Jones, Ronin and Rylee Chick; her parents, Howard and Edna Sudduth; her siblings, Penny (Ralph) Buzzell, Larry (Vonnie) Rardin, and Diana (Earl) Oliver, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.She is preceded in death by her father, Quentin A. (Gus) Rardin, her brother, Gary N. Rardin and son-in-law, J. Michael Jones. Donna was born on September 5, 1953 in Upland, CA.She accepted Christ as her Savior at age 5 during Vacation Bible School. She was thankful for the privilege of growing up in a family that loved the Lord. Donna enjoyed her youth group at Upland Bible Church and had a special fondness for Vacation Bible School. Her faith in the Lord had a 24/7 effect on her life. She thought it was great to reconnect with past friends through Facebook, many of them having a relationship with the Lord, also. Her faith was genuine, never a show for others. It was a quiet, stable faith. Life presents plenty of trials and challenges that remind us how precious it is to have a personal faith in the almighty God. Though her medical condition deteriorated, she never doubted God’s goodness. She trusted God to accomplish his will even though she was not happy to leave this soon. Donna liked reading her Bible and was faithful to bring petitions before the Lord. She probably prayed for a lot of you. Donna was the youngest of five children and was raised in Southern California. She attended Cypress Elementary School, DeAnza Junior High, Chaffey High School, and Chaffey Junior College. Donna and Dan met in high school and were married at Upland Bible Church, the church Donna grew up attending, on August 17, 1973. Fourteen months later, their daughter Kimberly was born. In 1975, they moved to Auburn, California, where their daughters Janeen and Rene’ were born. They were introduced to Village Mission’s while attending Applegate Bible Church. Donna and Dan felt led by God into a life of ministry. They moved to Medical Lake, WA, for Dan to attend Bible School. Donna served with Dan through Village Mission’s for 4 years in Bliss, Idaho, and 9 months in Seeley Lake, MT. They movedto Eatonville, WA, in 1990, to serve at Tanwax Country Chapel. Donna had a heart for serving others. A friend to all, she was warm, welcoming and accepting. She opened her home to everyone she met. She found the best in everyone and showed them the kindness of Christ no matter their personality or beliefs. She welcomed everyone, gave selflessly, and babysat for others whenever there was need. She loved children. She taught Sunday school, worked at Vacation Bible School, served in the nursery, helped in Junior Church and with children’s choir. She loved music, singing and praising God. Over the years, she acquired a love for a variety of music, including hymns, oldies, praise and worship and country, which became one of her favorites. From the age of 5, she sang duets with her sister. She sang in the choir whenever there was an opportunity, including both church and community choirs. She was highly involved with the music ministry at Tanwax Country Chapel, singing, organizing music and picking the songs for the worship team. Donna was devoted to her family. She loved being at home and easily made her house a home no matter where they moved. She enjoyed traveling to visit family and taking trips with family. Some of her favorite trips included:a surprise trip to Hawaii with close friends from Idaho, a celebration vacation to Puerto Vallarta (first remission, 50th birthday and 30th wedding anniversary), going to New York and Washington DC with her daughters to see the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, a spontaneous trip to Canada with Dan, her sister and brother-in-law, a romantic getaway to Kauai with Dan thanks to their TCC family and a snowy week in Leavenworth for Thanksgiving 2011. Disneyland held a special place in Donna’s heart. Dan and Donna went on their first date there for Grad Night. They took numerous trips there while the girls were growing up and continued that tradition by taking their grandkids. Donna lived a life of joy, even as she suffered from the effects of cancer and cancer treatments. Donna was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in 2002. She had several surgeries and treatment before going into remission. She had a reoccurrence of cancer in 2008. The cancer was treated with radiation and chemo. The cancer became active again in April 2012 and had metastasized throughout her body. Several forms of treatment were tried before Donna lost her battle with cancer. One of Donna’s favorite activities was gathering her family together, often around the dinner table. Here are some memories and fun facts about her that the family recalled as they sat around the table: · Her toe nails were always painted. · She made the world’s best French toast. · Her favorite color was purple. · She disliked camping. · She loved to celebrate holidays, especially Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter. · She loved playing games. Especially Upwords and Yahtzee. · She wore flip flops as long as she could each year. · She liked her tea weak with milk. · She loved California beaches. · She was a side-seat driver. · She had a lead foot. · Her first driving infraction was when she was drag racing in Dan’s dad’s truck against Dan on his Honda 90. · She loved Chocolate. · Baskin Robbin’sJamocha Almond Fudge ice cream was her absolute favorite. · She took pride in her appearance. One of her favorite sayings was, “Pretty is as pretty does.” · She was always a little self-conscious that she was taller than Dan. She would crouch for pictures and even went barefoot at their wedding. · Perms and haircuts were another way that she served others. · She had a fondness for change when it came to her furniture and hairstyles. · She played on the powder puff football team in high school. · She hated peas. · She loved avocados. · Her favorite movie was While You Were Sleeping. · She made all of the birthday cakes. She made them, Dan decorated them. · She developed a love for reading, especially Christian novels, accumulating book cases full of books. · She was always humble and often felt inadequate, even though she was more than adequate. · She was a prayer warrior. · She loved shopping and was great at finding a bargain. · She did well at helping Dan with reality, specifically with the cost and time of his home improvement projects. · She remembered everyone’s birthday. She probably knew yours. Donna had an incredible love for her family and friends but most of all an incredible love for her Savior. She was faithful to Christ’s call to witness. She exemplified the verse, I Peter 3:15 which says “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” She was fervent and genuine in her witness. She felt a true burden for the souls of everyone she met. She would often ask the question “Do you know Jesus as your Savior?” DO you? Services for Donna will be held at Tanwax Country Chapel 36417 Mountain Highway Eatonville, WA 98328 on January 20th, 2013 at 2pm. Tentatively an additional service will be held at The Bridge 12765 Oaks Ave. Chino, CA. 91710 on January 27th, 2013 at 2pm. Donations in Donna’s memory may be made to the Tanner Memorial Fund through Tanwax Country Chapel.