Donna Marie Rohlf, age 81, passed away on Thursday, April 29, 2010 at the Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon, Washington after a brave 20 year battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
She was born April 7, 1929 in Aitkin, Minnesota to Theodore and Sylvia (Deremo) Knutson. She grew up in Minnesota and later moved to Seattle in the 1950’s residing there for many years until moving in 1968 to Concrete residing there for 42 years.
Donna was married to Ray Rohlf on August 28, 1946 in Aitkin, Minnesota and he preceded her in death in April of 1973. She worked as a real estate sales person in the Concrete area for many years. Donna sang and played guitar in jam sessions with many country bands at local establishments throughout Skagit and King Counties including Arky and the Arkansas Travelers, the Skagit Belles, and alongside Bill McLane who fondly gave her the nickname “Snapper”. She enjoyed singing, guitar, gardening, cooking, art, her little dog Tinkerbell, and time spent with her family. Donna was a member of the American Legion and Eagles Auxiliary in Concrete.
Donna is survived by her 5 children, Cliff Rohlf of Renton, Diane Willis and her companion Jim of Auburn, Mike Rohlf of Burlington, Rena Erickson and her husband Jason of Mill Creek, and Cheryl Clark and her husband Chad of Concrete. Her grandchildren, Michael, Tara, Donovan, Jeff, Tyler, Dylan, Kylie, 5 great-grandchildren, and her brother, Gene Knutson and his wife Donna Mae of Palisade, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ray and 2 brothers, Ted and Harvey Knutson.
God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be so be put his arms around you and whispered come home with me. With tearful eyes we watched you and saw you pass away, and although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, trembling hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us he only takes the best.
Graveside Services will be held on Saturday, May 8, 2010 at 2:00 PM at the Lyman Cemetery with Pastor Jim Cannon of Sedro-Woolley officiating. Arrangements and Services are under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.
There is no place to start, and certainly no end to the wonderful things I have shared with Donna, my grandma. Rena, and cheri. Donna was the mom I never really had. The one who allowed me to stay over numerous times. the one to tell me things will always work out. I never will forget the sparkle in her eyes, or the laugh she so heartedly gave. I treasure the music sessions we got to listen in on. I love that music ! She even helped me tell my dad I was pregnant !! wow, what a day that was, she made it all easier. The ups and downs of childhood are amazing, but having someone with such strength love and passion to see you through them is priceless.
The friendship donna and dorothy shared was a treasure. They did so many things together, had so many laughs. Grandma remembered a lot of that, even through the alzheimers. What a fight these ladies gave, I pray that you are together today, doing the very same things.
am certain the “sheriff” will never forget “gulldangyou” ….HA.
wish I had stayed close Donna. I love you , never forgotten.
thank you with all my heart, for every little thing you ever did for me.
We share your sorrow. Your mother and grandmother’s teachings have shown well in you. It truly is a humbling statement Rena made in that no matter how bad you think that you have it, there are people in this world that truly shine in spirit no matter what circumstances bring them.
God Bless you and your kind family.
Although we didn’t really know Donna, we know her through her son Mike and he is a wonderful person. At 2pm our thoughts and prayers were with Donna and her family…Ed & Kay
Mom is finally able to rest in peace. No more shaking, no more anxiety.
Jim said that music was what identified her. She loved her country music—old country music–Hank Williams kind of music.
But, she also loved Elvis. She was one of his biggest fans. Elvis pictures were everywhere in her home. I bought her Elvis movie DVDs for her to watch. She still swooned over him like a teenager. Funny, Rena was right, she wasn’t any older in her mind.
And flowers, she loved flowers. Flowers were always the gift to give.
We have a guardian angel looking down and watching over us now. She left us so peacefully. The Lord took her home.
I had the privilege of caring for your mother briefly last week at Skagit Valley Hospital. I was touched by the warmth and cohesiveness of your family and the obvious love and devotion in the room. I wanted to take the opportunity to thank you again for allowing me to be a member of your mom’s health care team and for permitting me to share in this most intimate time in your lives. God bless and hold you.
Sue Watt, Student RN, SVC
It’s going to be hard getting used to life without Mom. I’m especially going to miss the Sunday visits I had with her each week, playing old country tunes for her on the guitar. Even though my playing is lousy, she always raved over it. She was my biggest fan! My only regret is that there weren’t more of those Sundays to remember.
I’m continually in awe of her strength and how well she stood up to the sufferings that the Parkinson’s Disease put her through, especially toward the end. I remember on one of our Sundays we were talking about aging, and I remarked that even though I had recently turned 46 I realized that it wasn’t as “old,” as I imagined it would be when I was a child. Just as perky as could be, she replied, “I don’t feel old either!” And she absolutely meant it.
I was amazed at how she could say that, in spite of all she had been through. It’s left an unforgettable lesson for me that no matter how bad life may seem, it can always be worse, and that our attitude toward life makes all the difference in how we feel. It reminds me of a scripture that sums this up perfectly, “For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Philippians 4:11
Thank you, Mom, for teaching this lesson to me by the example of your own life.
That it the most beautiful little poem at the end. I love you so much, Nana.