Donna Smith

Donna Tanner Smith:
1915 – 2014

Donna Tanner Smith, our beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, passed away peacefully on December 18, 2014 of causes incident to age. Donna was born September 10, 1915 in Payson, Utah to Ezra Tanner and Esther Jeannette Goddard, the 2nd of 5 children.

Donna worked on the family farm and at Roe’s Bakery before accepting a call as a missionary for the LDS Church to the Northern California Mission, serving in Eureka, CA. There she met a fellow missionary, Frederick J.B. Smith, who proposed to her in a letter following his release in 1943.

After serving her mission, they were married in the Salt Lake Temple, September 3, 1943. They were married for 53 years. Donna passed away in the home that Fred built for her and their family.

Donna shared her many talents with her family and church community. She was an excellent seamstress, making clothing for herself and her six children and the beautiful quilts she made adorned each of their beds. Donna was always a farm girl at heart and planted a vegetable garden every spring. She was a dedicated genealogist and made family history an important focus for her children. Donna enjoyed her daily walks and at the age of 82, along with one of her daughters, hiked to the top of Ensign Peak. Donna wrote poetry, played the piano and most importantly filled her home with love.

Donna was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, fulfilling numerous callings throughout her life, including Ward and Stake Relief Society President, a volunteer on Temple Square and at the age of 88 a counselor in the Primary Presidency. With a friend, she attended the temple weekly until the age of 94.
Her six children will miss her gentle nature, warm smile and quick sense of humor, all of which she willingly shared, especially through the health difficulties she experienced during the past few years.

Donna was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brothers, sister and daughter-in-law. She is survived by her children, Karen (Dean) Nelson, Wayne, Janice (Roger) Tea, Paul (Jane-deceased), Ruth Ann (Dan Lustig) and Dawnetta (Scott) Brown along with 6 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, December 23, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Riverside 29th Ward, 1100 West 500 North, Salt Lake City, Utah. A viewing at the church will be held one hour prior to the service. Internment at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the care givers from Danville as well as CNS Hospice for their skill and kindness as they cared for our mother.

Condolences and memories may be shared at slc@russonmortuary.com