Donna Beutler

Donna Kathleen Lewis Beutler was born May 28, 1934, at the old Potlatch hospital, to Virgil (Butch) and Catharine Lunceford Lewis of Avon. Donna grew up on the family ranch as a fun-loving free spirit, exploring the ranch and playing in the creek that ran through the ranch.

Donna attended the first grade in a one-room schoolhouse in Avon with 14 other students in grades first through eighth. The two-mile walk to school was not easy, especially in the winter. She was happy to have her big brother Norman break trail for her. In the fall and spring, he put a seat on the back of his bicycle for her to ride on.

Donna’s family moved to Deary for the start of second grade. Donna loved living in a small town. She was sure the people that lived in Deary were the best and her life was full of fun and adventure. In the summer,, Donna and her friends had fun climbing Spud Hill to visit with the Forest Service personnel. The friends would stop at the spring on the way up the hill and bring water to the rangers manning the lookout.

In winter Donna and her friends would coast from the top of Main Street, across the State Highway and almost to the high school. Cars were not as plentiful back then. Donna was active in both junior high and high school as a cheerleader and a majorette. In 1992, Donna and her lifelong friends from Deary were instrumental in organizing the first ever Deary High School reunion. Over 1,000 former students and friends attended.

After graduation Donna moved to Moscow and began working for Washington Water Power. In 1956, she and Jim Turpin were married and moved to California for one year. They then moved back to Idaho and settled in Moscow in 1964. Three children were born to them, Jeff, Dan and Kathy.

Donna was employed by General Telephone for over 27 years before retiring. There she made many lifelong friends. Donna and Bob Beutler were married in 1983. She gained three stepchildren, Pam, Scott and Kari. After Bob retired, they traveled, spending part of 20 winters in Mexico. They visited Australia and New Zealand with Donna’s brother and his wife Linda. They visited 17 countries in Europe, several in South America and made a trip to Kenya and Tanzania with Bob’s sisters Dorothy and Meredith and Meredith’s husband Kaye. They were able to go on four photo safaris while in Africa which were the highlight of the trip. Bob and Donna also traveled to 48 of the 50 states here at home.

In case you’re wondering if I wrote this — I did. I read an obituary a few days ago that was only three lines. I wanted more than that said about me — so here it is. I have had a good life, especially these last years. I’ve made many good friends and my memories are great. I have been fortunate to be the mother of three children, Jeff (Theresa), Dan (Lisa) and Kathy (Sam), stepmother to three children Pam (Doug), Scott (Pam) and Kari (Lars) and mother-in-law to their spouses. I was a wife to Bob, sister to my brother Norman and sister-in-law to Linda, Kaye, Meredith and Dorothy. We have spent many good years together.

We’ll all walk this way someday, so "Tally-ho!" until I see you again (hopefully).

Love to you all, Donna

A celebration of life will be held for Donna at 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 8, at Moscow First United Methodist Church, 322 E. Third St., Moscow, she was a member there for many years.

Memorials may be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children or the charity of the donor’s choice.