Donna LaVonne (Ferguson) Blankenship

Donna L. Blankenship was born on March 13, 1940 in Custer, SD. to Ralph and Helen (Coleman) Ferguson. She died on October 8, 2020 in Hermiston, Oregon at the age of 80 years. Donna lived in Custer, SD. until the fall of 1950 when her family moved to Boardman, OR and she resided in Boardman until moving to Hermiston in 1956. Donna attended high school in both Boardman and Hermiston and  graduated from Hermiston High School class of 1958. In high school, Donna played and excelled in volleyball and was a 4 year letterman in the sport. Later in life, she enjoyed playing on a slow pitch softball team with friends.

Just out of high school, she married the love of her life Don. C Blankenship on August 1, 1958 and they were married for 59 years at the time of Don’s passing. Don and Donna were blessed with and raised four wonderful children in Hermiston; Dawn Renee, Craig, Larry and Darcy.

Donna was fortunate to be a stay at home mother until her first three children entered school. At that time, Donna went to work for Burnhams Department store in Hermiston where she worked in sales and as a buyer until 1978. One of the fondest memories she had of working at Burnham’s was attending the annual buyer conventions. In July of 1978, Donna went to work for Lamb Weston in Hermiston where she worked as an Inventory Clerk and in Accounts Payable which she did until her retirement in 2005.

Donna enjoyed traveling to watch her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren play sports. You could always count on hearing her voice above the crowd cheering her family on and encouraging the entire team. Donna absolutely loved spending any time she could with her grandchildren and great grandchildren as they brought her so much joy. She also loved to read, water ski, camping along the Columbia River, complete crossword puzzles, tend to her roses, attend bowling tournaments with her best friends and she especially loved her trips to the National Bowling Tournament in Reno, NV. Donna also enjoyed her weekly visits with her lifelong friends where they played Dominos and card games which she was able to enjoy until her passing.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Don, her loving daughter Dawn Renee Ransom, brothers Chuck and Keith Ferguson, and her great granddaughter Delanee Blankenship. Donna is survived by sons, Craig (Janet) Blankenship, Overland Park, KS.  Larry  (Kristin) Blankenship, Hermiston, OR., daughter Darcy (Patrick) McDonough, Hermiston, OR. and her beloved 11 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

Donna will be remembered as a fun loving woman who loved her family, lifelong friends and all those who were blessed to be a part of her beautiful life. She had the most beautiful smile and a laugh that was so contagious you couldn’t help but laugh along with her. She will be deeply missed by everyone who had the absolute pleasure of knowing her.

A graveside funeral service following state guidelines will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2020 at 11:00 A.M. at the Hermiston Cemetery, Hermiston, Oregon.

Please share memories of Donna with her family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, Oregon is in care of arrangements.

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