Donnita Rae Hatlestad

1947 - 2024

Donnita (Donni) Rae Konen Hatlestad passed away on July 2, 2024, at home in Scottsdale Arizona. Donni was born on January 10, 1947, in Lewiston, Idaho, to Donald John Konen and Ruthe Anita Konen. She was their first of four daughters. Donni graduated from Lewiston High School as the valedictorian of her 1965 class. She was a 1969 graduate of Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education. After graduation, she moved to the Seattle area and became a flight attendant with United Airlines. She later became a substitute teacher in Bellevue before joining The Boeing Company. Donni also worked as a Systems Analyst at Paccar in Renton, Washington for a few years before returning to Boeing where she enjoyed a long career in computer science. While at Boeing, she met her husband, Robert Hatlestad. After retiring from Boeing at age 55, Donni spent time reading, gardening and cooking. She also volunteered as a docent at the Bellevue Botanical Gardens. Donni had a passion for reading and joined a book club in Bellevue that she participated in for several years with her closely knit bookie group. Later, she and her husband moved to Sequim, Washington where she became a master gardener. She enjoyed cooking with the ingredients from her own large garden and preserving the fruit from her many trees. She often shared her home-canned goods and recipes with family and friends. Donni was a member of Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) whose mission is to promote educational opportunities for women. Additionally, she was active in several book clubs in Sequim. She is survived by her husband, Robert Hatlestad, two stepchildren, five grandchildren, three sisters and many nieces and nephews. Donations may be made to the Philanthropic Educational Organization, "PEO Chapter JC c/o 51 Riverview Dr. Sequim, WA 98382".