Donna K. Gill </MCC HEAD>

Story last updated at 7:12 PM on Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Donna K. Gill

Nov. 30, 1923-June 26, 2009

Donna K. Gill of Homer passed away June 26, 2009, from natural causes. She was surrounded by family that loved her dearly with her ever faithful husband Michael by her side.

"As a family we have rejoiced in her passing because we all knew how she longed to go home to be in heaven with her Lord and Savior. She would joke with us and tell us that her epitaph should read. 'Here lies my old crate; I've gone on to my Estate.' She prayed for all of us, wept on our behalf at times, and turned us all over to God. When she drew her last breath she had great peace and joy resting in the knowledge that all of her children know Jesus and she will see them again someday on the other side," her family said.

Donna K. Gill

Donna was born in Lewiston, Idaho, on Nov. 30, 1923 to Rupert Lewis Koelzer and Edna Elizabeth (Spiker) Koelzer. They moved from Lewiston to Spokane, Wash., where Donna attended first grade. Her mother passed away and she went to live with her aunt and uncle in Seattle. Her mother and her aunt were very close friends and attended normal school together. Her aunt introduced Donna's mother to her half-brother Rupert Koelzer. Donna's aunt Beatrice Buescher Krull promised to raise Donna as a Catholic. True to her word, Donna attended St. Ann Catholic Grade School. For Christmas of 1941 Donna's aunt and uncle asked what she wanted for Christmas. Donna told them she wanted to be adopted. Uncle Henry Krull wrote a letter to Rupert Koelzer asking permission to adopt her and he gave his permission. This did not detour her from knowing her brothers and later her half sisters and half brother.

In 1942 she graduated from Highline High School in Burien, Wash. After graduation she went to work modeling dresses at Frederick and Nelsons Department Store.

In January 1943 she met Michael Gill who was renting a room in the same apartment house that Donna and her folks lived. In August 1944 Donna and Michael were married at St. Ann Catholic Church on Queen Anne Hill in Seattle. They raised eight children together. Donna was a devoted mother, wife and homemaker, and an excellent cook. A skill that she passed on to her children and grandchildren.

Donna was a people person. She would reach out to help those in need, physically or mentally. When you were her friend you knew it. She was a very honest and truthful person, and expected the same in return. She volunteered to be a chairman of parish dinners and organized them with great efficiency. She was a volunteer driver for FISH, an organization that provided free rides to medical appointments for those in need. She really enjoyed helping others.

When she didn't know how or understand how to do a particular thing she would take a class or attend a seminar to learn all about it.

She loved to knit and sew and was an excellent seamstress. She made quilts for family and friends that are too many to count, wedding dresses, and enjoyed tailoring clothing for uniquely shaped people, a skill that she passed down to her daughters, sons and grandchildren. She made costumes for the Harstine Theater club. She always had time to teach.

A life-time student of the Bible, Donna attended Seattle Bible Training School and Triune University where she received her bachelor's degree in Christian education, master's degree in Christian counseling and an honorary doctorate in Biblical literature. She published study books under the Draw-rite series covering all the Epistles of Paul and the Book of Revelation under the name Z.O. Lady. Donna will be forever remembered as a loving companion and help mate to Michael for 64 years, and as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend.

She is survived by her husband Michael Gill of Homer, brothers Vernon Koelzer of Billings Mont., and Newton Koelzer of Eco, Nev.; and sisters Paula Hansen and Teresa Miller of Kennewick, Wash; children Maryann Lyda of Homer; M. David Gill and wife Penny of Seattle; John P. Gill and wife Andrea of Alfred, N.Y.; Tom H. Gill and wife Sherrie of Shelton, Wash.; James C. Gill and wife Susan of Yukon, Okla: Steve D. Gill and wife Debbie of Kent, Wash.; Jerry F. Gill and wife Eythel of Friend, Neb.; and Sue Gillham and husband Jerry of Prineville, Ore, along with 24 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her birth parents Rupert and Edna Koelzer, adopted parents Henry and Beatrice Krull, brothers Dale, Jerry and Robert Koelzer, and her eldest grandchild Mike Lyda.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Cook County Christian School, 835 S. Main St., Prineville, Ore. 97754.

Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.