Donna Lee Brunz

Donna Brunz July 6th, 1938 - August 27th, 2019 Wenatchee, WA Donna Lee Brunz, a loving and devoted mother, and friend to all whose lives she touched, passed away on August 27, 2019. She had just turned 81 and had courageously battled cancer for 15 years. She left us peacefully while sleeping at home, surrounded by loving family members. Donna was born July 6, 1938, in Florida, to Walter and Viola Rembold. Her father was a Professor of Science. Her mother was a professional chef and homemaker. She was raised in a Seventh Day Adventist home. After moving to Massachusetts, they eventually settled in Leavenworth, Washington. Donna graduated from Leavenworth High School in 1956. She attended Walla Walla College where she met and married Edwin Crouse. They eventually moved to Seattle and started a family. She had two children, LaDonna and Robert. Donna obtained a degree in education from the University of Washington. She pursued her artistic passions of fencing, puppetry, singing in the Seattle Opera and dancing professionally in a Hawaiian dance group. Divorce in 1964 brought major change as she relocated herself and her two children to Wenatchee where she began working for the US Forest Service. Eventually she met and married Robert Brunz, a merchant Marine. She was blessed with two more children, Cricket and Brian. Donna divorced Robert Brunz in 1988. While teaching hula and performing at local events, Donna also enjoyed adventure and joined the police reserves, competing in women's sharp shooting competitions which she often won. Donna was hired at Chelan County Regional Jail as a controller where she worked for 25 years. During this time, she met and fell in love with Officer Quimby Shaw who she eventually married in 2006. Quimby Shaw predeceased her in 2007. Donna always remained optimistic, implicitly trusting in God, knowing he was the reason she was able to live far beyond everyone's expectations. We are also exceptionally thankful to Fred Hutchinson Research center in Seattle who refused to give up on her when all other doctors did. We are forever grateful for every minute of every day we got to keep her a little longer. Above all she loved her family. We all grew up thinking we were her favorite because she lavished each of us with such love and individualized attention. Her passion for life had no bounds and her love for her children guided her every path. She was generous to a fault, giving all that she had without hesitation or regret. Donna always created a stable, caring home, making sure we all attended church to ensure we learned about the bible and Gods great love and mercy for us all. She was always there with strength, humor and endless compassion, for her family and for strangers. Donna was a fighter. We lovingly called her our little German tank. Though there were countless rounds of chemo and countless battles through the years she always woke up happy, ready to face the day with a smile on her face and gratitude to God in her heart. Her positive attitude has inspired us all. With broken hearts we shall miss her forever. It is only knowing that she is with Jesus and surrounded by family who preceded her that we can find any comfort in having her taken from us. Donna is survived by her brothers, Duaine Rembold and Dale Rembold; she was the beloved mother of LaDonna Frank (Sokolowski), Robert Teddy Thompson, Cricket Alexander and Brian Brunz; proud grandmother of Lisa Talley, Michael Sokolowski, Sheena Harvey, Krystal McKinney, Eli Thompson, and Viola Brunz; and great-grandmother to Addison Talley, Brianna Talley, Sophia Sokolowski, Alaina Sokolowski, Noelle Sokolowski, Oliver Sokolowski, Farrah Harvey, Lucy Harvey, Kinsley McKinney, Corban McKinney and Colton McKinney. A Graveside service for Donna Brunz will be held at 2pm on Saturday, September 7th, 2019, at Evergreen Memorial Park, 1301 10th ST NE, East Wenatchee, WA. To read a full obituary, share photos or leave a condolence, you can visit Donna's online tribute at www.HeritageMemorialChapel.com. Arrangements are in the care of Heritage Memorial Chapel, East Wenatchee & Cashmere.

Donna Lee Brunz

July 6, 1938 - August 27, 2019