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DONNA HANSEN EDWARDS ROTTA

October 10, 2012

Donna Hansen Edwards Rotta, 78, of Quincy passed away after a short illness at Central Washington Hospital on Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012.

Donna was born Dec. 9, 1933 in Sunnyside to Clarence and Alice (Jensen) Ritchie. She grew up in Sunnyside, graduating from Sunnyside High School in 1952. Donna continued her education at Washington State University graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in social studies in 1956. After a year of student teaching in Wapato, she began teaching in the Sunnyside School District in the fall of 1957 and remained in the district until her retirement in 1982.

On Aug. 13, 1960 she married Marlin F. Hansen, her "true love." In 1964 they had a son, Ritchie Hansen. In the fall of 1965 Marlin passed away, Donna continued to live and work in Sunnyside until 1982, when she moved to George, and married Thomas Rotta. They farmed and had a cattle ranch. Donna worked on the ranch with Tom.

She enjoyed farm living and loved the cattle. She enjoyed watching them graze in the fields. They made her feel peaceful.

Donna worked hard all of her life and instilled that hard work brings success.

Tom and Donna enjoyed traveling and RV'ing especially to Montana, where they bought a ranch in 1996, but Donna truly loved her home in George and spent her time there.

Donna moved to Quincy in 2004, where she resided until her passing.

Donna loved reading and learning, she enjoyed history and was already to share interesting facts from the stories she had read. She kept up on current affairs; she truly loved her country and all the beautiful places within it. She loved the ocean and the cranberry coast. Donna enjoyed all of God's creatures both great and small and supported the preservation of wild animals.

Donna truly loved life and adventure she loved the thrill of exploring new places, she also loved to laugh and some good rock music some of her favorites were Journey and Bob Seger.

Donna loved many things but what she truly cherished most was her love for her son and grandchildren. Her strong, adventurous and determined spirit will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Donna is survived by her loving son, Ritchie Hansen and Cheryl Hammer of Quincy; her grandchildren, Kathryn Hansen, Michael Hansen and Rani Hammer; her sister, Margery Mallery of Olympia; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Marlin Hansen; brothers, Harold Ritchie and Les Ritchie; and sister, Norma Miller.

Viewing and visitation will be held Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012, from 2 to 8 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home in Sunnyside. Funeral services will be held Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, at 1 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Sunnyside.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be given to the "Susan G. Komen - For the Cure" at ww5.komen.org

Those wishing to sign Donna's on-line memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com.

Smith Funeral Home Ltd. and Crematory in Sunnyside is in charge of arrangements.