Donna Mae Spere passed away peacefully in the embrace of her son, Jeffrey Spere, in Vancouver, Washington, on Jan. 22, 2020, after a short illness.

She was born Feb. 20, 1925, in Glasgow, Montana, as the fifth daughter of Hans and Clara Hilden. Eventually, Hans and Clara brought a total of six children into the world, all girls!

Hans was a gifted mechanic and moved to Aberdeen in 1942 to work in a plywood mill producing product for the war effort. Clara, Donna and her younger sister, Helen, followed a few months later. Donna graduated from Weatherwax High School in 1943 and began working at Aberdeen Electric. In 1949 she married Russell G. Spere at Our Saviors Lutheran (Now Amazing Grace Lutheran Church.) They remained members of Amazing Grace for the rest of their lives.

In 1950, Russ and Donna were blessed with a healthy son, Jeffrey R. Spere.

Donna re-entered the work force in the 1960s when she went to work at Aberdeen Federal Savings and Loan, where she worked until her retirement.

Russ and Donna enjoyed their life in Grays Harbor spending time with friends and family. They enjoyed camping in their early years and other travel over the years. A constant in their vacation plans was always a search for sunshine!

Donna was active in various activities at Amazing Grace, including making quilts for the needy and providing food to the less fortunate. Donna loved to play bridge and played in numerous bridge clubs until she moved to Vancouver in 2015.

After moving to a retirement facility in Vancouver, she continued playing bridge three days a week until a few months before her death. Even after her move to Vancouver at age 90 she continued to work to provide food to the homeless.

Donna was preceded in death by the love of her life, Russell, in 2003 and her five sisters: Vivian, Verna, Marjorie, Eleanor and Helen.

In June of 2019, Donna was able to enjoy the wedding of her youngest grandson, Nathan, to Erin O’Brien. Donna worked with a physical therapist for months so that Nathan and brother Brian could walk her down the aisle without her walker!

She is survived by Jeffrey R. Spere and Kathryn Spere of Portland, grandsons, Brian of Jackson of Wyoming and Nathan (Erin) of Portland, Oregon.

A memorial service will be held at Amazing Grace Lutheran Church, 111 E. 4th St., Aberdeen, WA, on Feb. 10, 2020, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to Amazing Grace Lutheran Church.