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Donna Ann Martell

Oct. 8, 1932 - Aug. 13, 2021

Date of Service: Aug. 21, 2021

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BURLEY – Donna Ann Martell, a resident of Burley, passed away at the age of 88 on August 13, 2021, at Cassia Regional Hospital in Burley.

Donna was born on October 8, 1932, in Ogden, Utah, to Clifton (Cap) and Dorothy (Dot) Gibson. Her family moved to Burley her senior year of high school. She married Lon Delbert Munson and together they had three beautiful daughters, Christie Palmer, Patricia Simpson and Monnie Telleria. They later divorced. She then met the love of her life, Morris Martell, from Burley. They were married on August 25, 1959. They moved to Las Vegas, Nev., and lived there for 14 years. Together, they had a son, Myles Martell. The family moved back to Burley in 1976 and have lived there ever since. Morris and Donna were sealed in the Logan Utah Temple on July 22, 1983, for time and all eternity. They spent many happy years in retirement in Yuma, Ariz.

Donna had an infectious laugh and the gift of gab. She never knew a stranger and everyone was her friend. She introduced her husband and family to fishing. She always had a garden and canned every year. She enjoyed having yard sales and loved going to them with her sister-in-law, Doris. Donna had the gift of wheelin' and dealin' and getting the best bargain wherever she went. She was a teacher's assistant (paraeducator) at Minico High School for many years in the Special Education Department. She loved her students and they loved her, often hugging her as she saw them in later years. She was proud of her family and her heritage.

She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many positions in Primary and Sunday School. She loved doing genealogy and temple work for her ancestors. She was a member of Daughters of Utah Pioneers. She enjoyed attending the Beta Sigma Phi sorority with her sisters, Sharon, Colleen and Doris. She loved to sew and quilt. Her goal was to make quilts for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, which she did. She enjoyed quilting until the end of her life.

Survivors include her husband, Morris Martell; sister, Colleen Temple (Paul); children, Christie Palmer, Patty Simpson, Monnie Telleria and Myles Martell (Nancy); stepchildren, Mark Martell (Linda), Marilyn Fox (Richard) and Mike Martell (Beth); 27 grandchildren; and 58 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Cap and Dot Gibson; brother, Howard Gibson; sister, Sharon Ennis; sons-in-law, Brad Palmer and Mike Telleria; and grandchildren, Matt Moyes, Hayley Coussins, and Clayton Garro.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 21, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Burley 7th Ward, located at 2200 Oakley Ave., in Burley, with Bishop Eric B. Pierce officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery in Burley.

Friends and family will be received from 5 until 7 p.m. Friday, August 20, at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Saturday at the church, prior to the funeral.

A live webcast of the Funeral Service will be available and maintained at the following link: https://youtu.be/6F6Wy7DG6NA.

Condolences for Donna Ann Martell

Comments may be screened and removed by the staff as deemed appropriate.

From Glen & Susan Wilkinson:

So sorry for your loss.
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time.

From Darwin S. Martell and Family:

We send our love, sympathy and condolence to my Brother Morris and extended family. I just watched Donna's funeral from afar over the Internet. Donna was a wonderful Sister-in-Law and Friend. She has just changed her address for now, but we will see her again on the other and look forward to meeting again in the future.

From Jed Beyer & Dee Wimbish:

One of my favorite people in the world. Ve Con Dios sweet girl...

From Sheila B. Adams:

Fun memories of golf with Donna and her sisters. Reconnected withColeen and wish her Peace. also to Patty. My sympathy to all

From Debby:

Donna made us all feel loved. She will be missed. I know she was welcomed home with a lot of love.

From Ken & Tammie Robins:

This wonderful lady had a true zest for life. Her family was her pride and joy. Are condolences to Uncle Morris and family.

From Sheila B. Adams:

Fun memories of golf with Donna and her sisters. Reconnected withColeen and wish her Peace. also to Patty. My sympathy to all

From Lynette Bowden:

Just a joy to be around, I can hear her fun laugh every time I look at this picture

From Merry Paceley :

I will miss Donna very much. She was always cheerful and fun to be with. I will cherish the memories of attending the temple together, phone calls, random meetings at Costco, and seeing her at the family reunion each year. She was a wonderful cousin. My heartfelt sympathy to Donna’s wonderful family.

From Deana gibson:

Love Donna and her infectious laugh ! She was a sweetheart

From Joanie and Steve Blodgett:

We are so sorry for your loss.
We will miss seeing Donna at the family reunions. Sending our love to your family.

From Lisa Brander:

Donna was a very sweet lady. I knew her from the doctors office that she came to. She will be dearly missed. Prayers to Morris and her family.

From Dennis & Linda Davis:

We are so sorry for the loss of your Mother, Grandmother and friend. She truly knew everyone she met as a friend. We loved getting to visit with her when our families were together.

From Dixie Patterson:

I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Donna. She definitely loved to visit and chat with everyone. It didn’t matter how many years were between the visits, she made it seem like it was only yesterday. I’m sure she’s having a wonderful reunion with all of those family members. She will be missed by the entire family. My thoughts and prayers go to each and everyone of the members of the family.

From Guy and Lyn Ann Arnell. :

So sorry for the loss of a friend. Prayers and hugs sent to the family. We were all friends for many years in the 7th ward. We were sealed the same day in the Logan temple.

From PAULA J MCELHINNEY:

My heart is hurting for the family on the loss of Donna. Many happy memories of her and Morris with my folks. Donna was definitely a character!

From Glen & Susan Wilkinson:

So sorry for your loss.
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time.

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