Donald Gordon Rene'

Donald Gordon Rene' was born January 7, 1935 in Grafton, North Dakota and passed away on February 25, 2011 in Olympia, Washington. Donald was married for 54 years to Deloris Veer of Walhalla, North Dakota, and he was most proud of his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Robert, his sister Marjorie, and grandson Dean Jr. Donald leaves behind his children and loving daughters-in-law; Dawn Marie Hicks of Olympia, Dean and Roni René of Snohomish and Dale and Jane Rene of Tacoma, six grandchildren, three beautiful great-grandchildren, and many extended family members and friends. He has left us all with many happy memories and will be greatly missed. Biography Donald Gordon Rene’ was the second of five children born to Wm. Gordon and Hazel Rene’ in Grafton, North Dakota. His family owned a 650 acre farm just outside of Neche, North Dakota which is located one mile from the Canadian border and 20 miles from the Minnesota border. They farmed mostly potatoes and small grains. Donald’s earliest memory is of the death of his six year old little brother Robert. During Donald’s school years, favorite subject was British Literature but he did not like his English classes. He played baseball and basketball which he enjoyed very much and was quite good. He loved telling people: “Our high school basket ball team played an exhibition game with the Harlem Globe Trotters, did we win? Who knows but there was a lot of laughter.” After high school, Donald attended college at Wahpeton in North Dakota studying Agriculture. He was close to his family and remembers his grand mother playing piano as his uncles sang. They were all very musical, including his Uncle Lawrence who was a decorated war hero, taught Donald how to play baseball and was Donald’s childhood hero. In 1954, Donald met and married Deloris Veer of Walhalla, North Dakota. Together they had three children whom Donald was very proud of he was a great father. He worked the farm until 1964 before moving into town, Neche, North Dakota. During those years, Donald and Deloris were Cub Scout Leaders, they were both active in The Catholic Church, played in bowling leagues, had large card parties of 20-30 people playing pinnacle and whist, and went dancing most weekends. Donald drove long haul (interstate) trucks between leaving the farm and prior to moving his family to Seattle, Washington in 1966. He began working as a transport driver for Gai’s bakery; a job he was very proud to have. Donald’s family lived in the Lake City and Northgate areas, remaining active in the Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. Donald always loved building and working with is hands and this hobby took over the house every December. The Rene’ home became known as The Christmas House. For 15 years, the day after Thanksgiving, the whole family got together to construct the various hand made and hand painted Christmas decorations for the house and yard. There was a moving Ferris wheel, a merry go rounds with caricatures, Lighted water falls, and a 24 foot moving Santa and reindeer. Everything was made out of plywood and old motors. The bus tours made sure they stopped by every evening in December. There was even piped outdoor Christmas music to listen to. It took the whole family a full weekend to put them up, with many months previously to get ready for it by checking for burnt out lights. We had well over 18,000 lights in all. Donald retired from Gai’s bakery in 1994 and started volunteering at Northwest Hospital as a ticket booth controller. He met many nice people and enjoyed helping out. Unfortunately he had to give this up after several strokes and started to take things a little easier. He enjoyed watching all kinds of movies especially Westerns, he read every book by Louis L’Amour, and also loved playing cribbage, putting together puzzles and watching baseball, basketball and football on TV. Most of all, he loved being there for his family and friends. Donald and Deloris celebrated there 50th wedding anniversary in 2004. Their three kids and spouses, five grandchildren, one grandson in law, and one great grandchild helped put on a spectacular party in their honor. A Memorial Service is being held 3pm, Thursday, March 10th, 2011 at the Bells Chapel at Lakeview Congregational Church, 4606 108th Street S.W., Lakewood, Washington 98499.