Donna Jane Thiel

To Donna's Family,
Donna was my saving grace thru-out high school as youth leader at Keizer Christian Church. She kept me focused & grounded. I really feel if not for her love & guidance...I would not be the person I am today. She was the world to me, I will miss her presence. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful lady with the rest of us. We are all blessed to have known her.

Your mother was a long time friend and about as close to being family to me and my family as is possible. But I know I cannot claim that distinction alone, as Donna had endeared herself to families all over America.

My own daughters have called her Grandma Donna since the mid 80's. It is hard to believe that just about three weeks ago she called me to tell me about the results of the final test she had taken to try and find out why she was short of breath. And now she has gone on to...

Thank you for sharing the news of Donna's passing. I'm one of many who will miss her. Donna and I corresponded via email after she left Anchorage and we moved to Grants Pass, OR 3 years ago. We were privileged to have Donna in our lives through her and mother, Pat Dennerlein becoming close friends about 15 years ago in Anchorage. She opened up Pat's world after she was widowed and they traveled together and visited as often as they could after Donna moved back to Salem. We got to visit...

To the Donna Thiel Children,
I met Donna when she, with Noel to help her move, came to rent an apartment in Anchorage that my husband and I were managers of. Many blessing came to me when Donna chose to live in the apartment above ours. You’ve all heard of horse whisperers, but did you know that your mother was a baby whisperer? It’s true. My son was born during the time your mom lived upstairs. She worked her magic often. She became “Grandma Donna” to my daughter and son and they ADORED...

My condolences to the Theil Family. I remember your mother when she took care of Clay & Charmane Lundy's children in Bethel Alaska, as I was just a teen at the time. She was such a sweet lady.
May she rest in peace.

Donna came into our lives through a breakfast Bible study. Those breakfasts at Elmer's in Anchorage were a special part of the week for all of us for a number of years. How I admired her spirit, her determination to do things, to better herself and the world. Although we had not seen each other for years I always felt her presence and will miss her yearly Christmas letter.

We have been blessed to have known Donna and her family for a number of years. She is truely one of the most loving, tender hearted women God has ever created. There is a spot in my heart where she has a place of honor next to my own mom and dad.