Donna Tunks Waters

DONNA M. WATERS IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Donna Mae Tunks Waters, 84, of Idaho Falls, died, surrounded and comforted by her family, on August 18, 2006, at the Gables Assisted Living Center. She was born January 11, 1922, at Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, to Seba Ruel Tunks and Sarah May Benson Tunks. At the age of five, the family moved and she attended high school in Ogden and later Idaho Falls, where she graduated from Idaho Falls High School. On June 12, 1944, she married Parley Willard Waters in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They lived in Idaho Falls and then later moved to Helena, Montana, for 26 years, where their family was raised. Following her husband’s death in 1979, she returned to Idaho Falls. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in numerous callings including Relief Society President, Young Women’s President, and Primary President. She served for 14 years as a temple worker in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple and served for eighteen months as a missionary in the Family History Center. She loved dancing and teaching dancing, bowling, sewing, entertaining friends and family, and trying anything new. Donna especially loved being a mother and grandmother, and caring for her family. She found great joy in serving others, and had a special love for all children. She was described by her husband, a civil engineer, as the “#1 Domestic Engineer.” Survivor are: Son: Sid (Debbie) Waters, Mantua, UT Daughter: Sherri (Doug) Buchi, Salt Lake City, UT Son: Ren (Michelle) Waters, Mesa, AZ Daughter: Susan (Chris) Robertson, Shelley, ID 16 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren She was preceded in death by her husband, 3 sisters, and her parents. The Waters family would like to invite you to join them in celebrating her joyous life at 11 a.m. Tuesday, August 22, 2006, at the Shelley LDS South Stake Center (675 South Milton) with Sid Waters officiating. The family will visit with friends on Monday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home East Side (963 S. Ammon) and for one hour prior to the services at the church. Burial will be in the Rigby-Pioneer Cemetery. ------------------------------------------- Condolences sent online: Lee Holmes lholmes@ixi.net I would like to express my heartfelt sympathy for the loss of your mother. I appreciate the information in the Helena IR. I have great memories of her and many members of your family. May the Lord's comforting Spirit be with you. May you find peace in a life well lived and the assurance of the sealing connection in the life hereafter. Joe Seifert cjseifert@kellerlawmt.com Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the passing of your mother. I will never forget her kindness and decency, and how fortunate I was for her care and support when my own mom passed away. Laura Ann (Green)Pippin BpippinGJ@juno.com We are sorry to hear about the loss of your Mother. I am Wendell Green's daughter. My parents knew your parents very well in Helena. God Bless and comfort you all. Families are Forever, Laura, Robert, Bentley Pippin Carl and Karen Hatch hatch972000@yahoo.com Dear family of Donna Waters, We express our condolences to you in the passing of your mother. Truly, she was a great lady. She was a good friend and neighbor, as well as a kind and generous sister in our Church family. She will always hold a special place in our hearts and memories. What a wonderful life she has lived. We know that her place in eternity will be where Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ dwell. We loved her not only for her goodness to us, but for her example to all as a true Saint. We know you will miss her greatly, but hope you take comfort in the thought that she is your mother forever and ever. She has left here to join the love of her life, your father Parley, to participate in the great work going on in the spirit world and to await the wonderful eternal future with all of you. We pray that the comfort that comes from knowing the Jesus Christ as made possible eternal family relationships will ease your mourning. Sincerely, Carl and Karen Hatch Lois T Thomas [jgt-ltt@onewest.net] To all of the Water's Children and Grandchildren, Everysince we received the message last Sunday of Donna's passing, I have been thinking about her and about Parley. There are so many memory's from the years we have known them. Parley died just a month or so after John was made the Bishop of the ward. I remember the sound of the ambulance as it came to take him to the hospital. Your father's funeral was the first one at which John presided. Parley was our home teacher for quite a few years. He was a very faithful friend and man. His partner was Phil Ward, whom he helped to activate in the church and now, Phil's wife is also a member. I remember when your father had so many heart operations, and needed so much blood for transfusions. It was at that time I began to give blood to the Red Cross, at first to replace what was used for Parley, and later for others. Donna served with me in the YWMIA and I with her. Agnes Taylor also served with us. We also served there with Kathryn Passey. I especially remember when our daughter Mary was in the hospital, as a toddler, and your mother took care of our children every afternoon from about 3 pm until John came home from work so that I could spend several hours in the hospital with Mary. When daughter Elaine was four years old, we were at Memorial Park. Elaine became angry with me about something and decided to walk home. When she arrived home to an empty house, she was frightened and decided to go back to the Park. Your mother saw her, picked her up and took her to your home. Fortunately, Donna left a note on our door. By that time, we had the police looking for her and several kind people at the park. We were very grateful to Donna for that help. Both Mary and Elaine remember your mother working with them when they were in the YW program. When Mary was married, your mother came back from Idaho to her reception. We have so many memories over the years. Friend Kathryn Passey who loved your mother so much passed away on July 19th. Her daughter, Whitney, was here in town earlier in the week and when I told her about Donna, she said that there would be several reunions on the other side and I believe she is right. Agnes Taylor asks to be remembered and sends her sympathy also. We know that you are grateful for the Gospel and the wonderful faith that it gives us that life goes on, we will be with our family once again, and we will be restored to our best. May the great blessings of the Lord be with you as you go through this time of mourning the loss of your mother. Sincerely, John and Lois Thomas