Donella Durham

Donella Lucille Durham
August 11, 1925 - January 9, 2013
Donella Durham passed away peacefully at home Wednesday evening January 9, 2013 surrounded by family and friends. Donella was born to Otto and Ruth Bramon on August 11, 1925 near Mt. Ayr, Iowa. At the age of eleven she traveled with her parents from Iowa to Idaho to visit relatives in a Model T Ford holding her little brother Franklin on her lap much of the way. Later the Bramon family moved to the Nampa area where she attended Lakeview Elementary School and Nampa High School from which she graduated in 1943. After graduation, Donella worked at various establishments including Idaho First National Bank and a C.C. Anderson department store. During her high school years she met a young man at church from Nebraska by the name of Robert Durham who was visiting his sister and aunt in Nampa. Later Robert moved to Nampa where he and Donella began dating. Their romance was interrupted by World War II when in 1942 Robert enlisted in the Army Air Corp. Throughout the war years their romance blossomed through letters and telegrams. After the War, Robert attended a trade school in Chicago, and then returned to Nampa where he and Donella were married on May 1, 1947. They set up housekeeping in a small house that they built together North of Nampa on Ustick road near the railroad tracks. In the early 1950s they moved the house to Willow Lane in the O.K. Subdivision off Midland Road. In 1975 they moved to a new home next to her parents on Ustick Road.
Donella was a homemaker who enjoyed raising a large vegetable garden and growing flowers, especially roses. She also loved to sew and took pride in making shirts for her two boys, Kenny and Clyde, and dresses for herself.
In 1972, Donella and Robert started the first Sunday school class for adult singles in the Treasure Valley assisted by Christian Faith Center and Pastor Duane Buhler. The group flourished and soon required a larger facility in which to meet. North's Chuck Wagon in Nampa offered their banquet room as a meeting place wherein the group became known as the North's Chuck Wagon Singles for over a decade.
In 1980 Donella decided to go back to work taking advantage of her skills as a seamstress. From 1980 until 1990 she worked for Homestyle Industries making seat cushions and other upholstery for campers and motor homes. Upon retirement she and Robert traveled to many areas of the country spending time with family and friends.
After Robert's passing in 1994 Donella kept busy with church activities and spending time with her mother Ruth who had also become a widow nine months earlier. Other highlights were a trip to the Holy Land, several bus excursions throughout the Northwest, and family camping trips. Her last camping trip was in June of last year.
Mom loved the sunshine. In her later years, if the sun was not shining, Mom was not always happy. When reminded that often times a cloudy, rainy day can be a welcome relief from the blazing summer sun she remarked, "It can rain at night!"
Donella is survived two sons Clyde Durham of Nampa, Kenny Durham and wife Sherri of Boise, five grandchildren, Matt Durham (Kira Ash) of Boise, Danny Durham (Merrianne) of Boise, Brenna Baker (Sheradan) of Utah, Jake Durham (Amber) of Melba, and Tyler Durham (Lara) of Boise, one brother and sister-in-law Franklin and Darlene Bramon of Boise, nephew Dennis Bramon (Sherri) of Twin Falls, niece Joni Fehrenbacher (Scott) of Phoenix, other nephews and nieces, and eleven great grand children. She was preceded in death by her parents Otto and Ruth Bramon, and the love of her life Robert Durham.
The family would like to thank Vonette of Accent Hospice for her loving and professional nursing care for Donella. And, a very special heart-felt thank you to "Betsy" the live-in caregiver whose genuine care and patient love for Donella no doubt extend her days enough for us to enjoy one more Christmas with Mom.
A celebration of her life will be held at 1:00 pm Monday, January 21, 2013 at Christian Faith Center, 31 S. Midland in Nampa under the direction of Nampa Funeral Home Yraguen Chapel. Interment will be at Joplin Cemetery near Eagle (Chinden & Cloverdale Rd.) An online guest book may be signed at www.nampafuneralhome.com