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In Memory

Donna Bowen (Wright Doman) - Class of 1947

MONTPELIER - Donna Wright Doman passed into the loving arms of her Heavenly Father on October 11, 2012, due to continuing complications associated with a fall early in January. Donna Jean Bowen was born September 20, 1929, in Midvale, Utah, to Harry Bowen and Helen Latey Bowen. Her parents were divorced when she was young and she and her sister Betty moved to Bern, Idaho, when their mother married
Elmer Buhler. Their brother, Gary Buhler, was later born to this union. Donna's father, Harry Bowen, remarried and Donna was blessed with four half-sisters, Rolene Coulter,
Jeri Nelson, Vicki Platt, and Janine Morgan.

Donna married Warren G. Wright on June 10, 1947, in the Logan LDS Temple and they bought a home in Montpelier, Idaho. Warren was employed at the First Security Bank for 38 years, and he also farmed and ranched in the area. Donna and Warren were blessed with four sons, Steven Rich, Glen Conover, Jeffrey Warren, and Scott David. The family enjoyed sports activities, fishing, hunting, camping, and visiting grandparents. Donna's greatest joy and focus in life was her family.

In 1967, Warren's brother, David, passed away and his four children (Charlotte, Janice, Gregory, and Paul) came from Alabama to Idaho to live with Donna and Warren's family. Donna's caring and nurturing maternal instincts accepted these children as her own.

Donna was a faithful member of the LDS Church and served in many callings in the Relief Society and Primary organizations but usually preferred the quiet, unassuming jobs. She particularly enjoyed serving and donating for the humanitarian effort of the church. She was skilled in knitting and crocheting. She was especially active in compassionate service, ministering to the downtrodden and lonely, most often without a calling to do so.

Many people in Montpelier who are troubled, less fortunate or on the fringes of society have experienced Donna's love and kindness over the years. She sought them out and found ways to help and encourage them. She never forgot a birthday or a special event or failed to recognize anyone on her personal birthday calendar.

Donna was an excellent cook and talented at cooking for a house full of hungry teen-age boys and their friends. Donna was a wonderful neighbor and often took food, fresh-baked bread, and goodies to her neighbors.

Following Warren's death in 1988, Donna married Rufus Doman of Montpelier on June 25, 1993. Rufus and Donna had known little about each other, but when they became acquainted the loneliness of their current lives placed them in a new situation, and love blossomed between them. With the combined families they now have 14 grown children, 52 grandchildren and 88 and a half great-grandchildren.

Donna is survived by her husband (Rufus); her children, (Steven Wright, Glen (Andrea) Wright, Jeffrey (Sandra) Wright, Scott (LaRae) Wright, Charlotte Wright, Janice Wright, Greg (Shannon) Wright, Paul Wright, Pat (Mike) Wood, Robin (Warren) Greene, Sharon Melton, Kristie (Les) Bartschi, Teresa Doman-Kunz, and Cory (Denise) Doman); her sister (Betty (Douglas) Stalder); her sister-in-law (Beth Buhler); and her four half-sisters. Donna was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather, parents-in-law, and her brother (Gary).

Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 20, 2012, at the Montpelier South Stake Center (485 S. Seventh Street, Montpelier, Idaho) at noon. There will be a viewing Friday, October 19, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Matthews Mortuary (702 Clay Street, Montpelier, Idaho) and from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. prior to services at the Stake Center. Burial will be in the Bennington Cemetery.

The family suggests contributions to LDS Humanitarian Services.