Donna Linneman Obituary

Born in Lompoc, Calif., in 1940, Donna passed away Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, at her home surrounded by her family. She was the daughter of the late Richard and Emma Canfield.  ''?Donna was raised in Lompoc and a graduate of Lompoc High School, with the Class of 1958. Donna married her high school sweetheart and best friend, Ron "Ronnie" Linneman.  ''?Donna''s early married years were spent raising two children and working with Ron at Ron''s Market and Taco Tierra. She then worked for over 10 years at Bank of America in Lompoc as a bank teller and also worked at Lompoc Hospital in admitting. ''?Donna ended her working career at Arroyo Grande Hospital, where she worked as an admissions clerk until she retired in 2009. Donna and Ron had many great adventures throughout their 54 years of marriage. ''?Donna''s early passions were camping at Gaviota Beach, skiing in California, Colorado, Utah and Austria, and traveling. On a trip to Mexico, Donna was dared to "drink the worm," which was caught on video to the grandkids delight. On a trip to Hawaii, she got to sit on Don Ho''s lap. ''?Her love of horses started early with her first horse, Samba. Many years passed before she was "bitten by the bug" and once again had horses in her life. It started with riding Shonti and Raja around the ranch on Leege.  ''?In 1997, Donna and Ron bought some property in Arroyo Grande, where they built their "Dream Home." Recently Donna wrote about living at the ranch in Arroyo Grande: "Still love this place. If we had lived here since we were in our 20s, it still would have not been long enough."  ''?After their move to Arroyo Grande, she began to ride her latest four legged companion, Sundown. She rode the trails of Ranchita and made several trips to Pescadaro, American Canyon, Montana De Oro and the Piutes.  ''?Donna loved the outdoors and hard physical work from sunup to sundown cutting/maintaining horse trails in the hills and working around the ranch. She loved to play cards whenever she had the chance and seemed to win more often than the rest of us. ''?Donna also enjoyed watching Professional Bull Riding and attended many PBR World Finals in Las Vegas. She loved music and going to see Willie Nelson at Pozo was a memorable moment, as well as attending her grandsons rap concerts!  ''?"Granny" was supportive and proud of all her grandchildren/great-grandchildren. Her fearlessness, never give up attitude and just plain ole grit made her an inspiration to her family.  ''?After Ron passed in 2011, Donna''s dream was to build the cabin in the Piutes that she and Ron had started. After completing the cabin in the Piutes, she enjoyed it on several trips with family and friends. ''?Donna was blessed and thankful to have a loving family, so many wonderful caring friends and neighbors that filled her last days with love. She once wrote in her journal "We have had such a great life! (not all perfect, but then nothing is)."  ''?Donna belonged to West Coast Rocky Mountain Horse Association, Monterey Bay Equestrians and Back Country Horsemen.  ''?Surviving family includes her son, Mark Linneman (Elizabeth); daughter, Jami Tavera (Ed); grandchildren Shandra Augenstein (River), Cara Marino (Jeff), Wesley Craighead (Vivian), Stephanie Linneman and Austin Linneman; and great-grandchildren Celeste, Jade, and Julia.  ''?She is also survived by her sisters Roxanne Reese (Charlie), Maryellen Wilson (Steve) and Georgene Koptish (Jerry); and numerous nieces and nephews. ''?She was preceded in death by her father, Richard Canfield; mother, Emma Canfield; brother, John Canfield; and husband, Ron Linneman.  ''?A celebration of Donna''s life will be held at a later date.''?In memory of Donna, donations can be made to The Wounded Warrior Foundation or Rider Relief Fund at www.riderrelief.com.

Published by San Luis Obispo County Tribune on Jan. 13, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
for Donna Linneman

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I was a part time janitor and sign painter for her at the Taco Tierra back in the early '60's, what a nice, hard working lady she was.

Mr. & Mrs. Michael W Johnson

Friend

June 17, 2022

I remember the first time I met you Donna. It was at the Salinas rodeo in 1948. We were at the carnival and we rode the roller coaster together. You were 8 years old.

I will always remember and cherish the great times Evelyn and I had with you and Ronnie.

Dick Baumann

January 21, 2013

There is an everlasting love for you Aunt Donna. Miss you more then you know. I'm more at peace knowing your with Uncle Ronnie & Grandpa & Grandma. Until we meet again, with all my love Terri & Randy & kids

Terri Whittington

January 21, 2013

Aunt Donna you will be missed more than words can say....So many fond memories of time spent with you growing up, from the house in Lompoc with the coconut heads hanging in the back yard, to the camping trips at Gaviota and Pinecrest, to all our wonderful holidays spent together with all the family at the ranch....much love always, you will be forever in my heart.
Love you niece, Debra Foreman

Debra Foreman

January 15, 2013

jami

January 15, 2013

Dorothy Baumann

January 14, 2013

Dorothy Baumann

January 14, 2013

Donna will be sorely missed by all the friends she made at Bank of America, myself included. We had such great times together. I'll never forget the wonderful bread pudding she always made for our potlucks. Till we meet again Donna. Still love you to pieces...God Bless

Shirley Greer/Howell

January 14, 2013

There are no words that could truly describe how blessed I was to have you and gramps as grandparents, or to describe how much you will be missed. A lot of what I am today is because of both of you. Getting me into horses and all the trail riding, and camping I did with you and gramps are some of my best memories. Especially the one where we took showers in the muck bucket in the back of the trailer :-). I know you and gramps will be looking out for all of us. To the best grandmother a girl could ever have. Until we are reunited I take comfort in knowing you and grandpa are now riding your never ending beautiful trails together.
Love you Granny XOXOXOXO

Jeff and Cara

Cara Marino (Craighead)

January 14, 2013

You will be missed. Enjoyed working with you at the hospital. Charlie and Ronnie were good friends. You are at peace.

Betty Wilks

January 14, 2013

joe & i will miss you &ronnie at our parties,you were always the first to arrive,i know you'll be partying in spirit with us,together agaon,lovin,laughin & probably sipping those martinis,love you both joe & julie

January 14, 2013

My sister Donna & her husband Ron worked very hard & enjoyed life to the fullest. They have reached their "Trailsend" & our family & many, many friends will miss them so much!!! We love you & think of all the great times we had together...... Roxanne & Charlie

Roxanne & Charlie (Canfield) Reese

January 14, 2013

I can remember all the nights we spend at the hospital.You worked circles around all us youngster. I will miss you and always remember what a great person you were.

denise boner

January 13, 2013

I can remember all the nights we spend at the hospital.You worked circles around all us youngster. I will miss you and always remember what a great person you were.

January 13, 2013

mary young

January 13, 2013

To my sister, I will miss you big time!! But I know that you are so happy now that you are with Ron. You have alot of trails to ride between the ranch and the cabin , we will meet again---big hugs and kisses---until then . Me

MaryEllen

January 13, 2013

We have such great memories of you. Keep an eye on all of us.
Love,
Wes,Viv,CC and Lulu

January 13, 2013

Now Ronnie & Donna are riding happy trails together. We love and miss them both.

Bill & Tracey

January 13, 2013

I know you and dad are sitting together, holding hands & watching bull riding drinking a martini. The best parents that we could have asked for!

jami & ed

January 13, 2013

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