Obituary: Hilsabeck, Donna Mae

Age 77

Wed., June 10, 2015

HILSABECK, Donna Mae Donna Mae Hilsabeck went home to be with Jesus on June 8, 2015.

Donna was born in Wishek, ND on May 16, 1938 to Otto Sayler and Lea Lang Sayler.

In 1941, the family moved to Republic, WA.

They lived there until Donna was 11, and then moved to Spokane in 1949.

Donna attended North Central High School.

In 1955, Donna married Ken Swanson in Spokane.

They had one son.

In 1968, Donna married Douglas Hilsabeck and became a stepmother to Doug’s three sons.

Doug and Donna had two daughters of their own.

Donna was a homemaker for most of her life.

In the early 1990s, she worked for Gonzaga Prep making meals for the Jesuit Community.

Donna was a member of Dishman Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School for over 30 years.

She loved worshiping the Lord and praying for others.

Donna also enjoyed writing poetry.

She joined Poetry Scribes of Spokane in 1983 and was the secretary for several years.

Many of her poems were published in various anthologies and she was the Lilac Poet of the Year in 1996.

Donna also loved to cook for her family and others.

Donna will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

She always had a smile on her face and a wonderful sense of humor, even near the end of her life.

Donna had a gift for seeing beauty in all things and people.

She was a loving, selfless mother, grandmother and true friend to so many.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Earl Sayler, sister Carol Jean Olson and husband Douglas Hilsabeck.

She is survived by her six children, Dennis Hilsabeck and wife Mary, Michael Hilsabeck and wife Judy, Bill Hilsabeck, Dwight Swanson and wife Julie, Denise Anderson and fiance’ Curtis Rowsey, Danielle Frame and husband Kevin.

Her 14 grandchildren are Shane Hilsabeck, Justin Hilsabeck, Brad Ogle, Chris Hilsabeck, Monica Hilsabeck, Patrice Fluno, Kathryn Swanson, Jennifer Swanson, Megan Anderson, Gage Anderson, Braden Anderson, Morgan Spraul, Nathaniel Frame and Carlee Frame.

She is also survived by 10 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

A celebration of Donna’s life will be held at 2:00 on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at Dishman Baptist Church, 315 N. Argonne Rd., Spokane Valley, WA.

To view Donna’s online memorial and leave a message of condolence please visit www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com.

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