Donna Ann Mayer of Portland, passed away at home, Sept. 7, 2009, five days shy of her 85th birthday. She was a strong woman who fought hard after her diagnosis two years ago of a lung infection and lung cancer. Donna was born in Roscoe, S.D., to Leslie and Ella (Zander) Oehler. The family moved to Enterprise where Donna completed high school in 1942. On April 28, 1951, Donna married Donald Mayer in Reno, Nev. She and her good friend married brothers in a double wedding. Leaving home after high school, Donna set her sights on independence and accomplishment. She went to Albany where she completed training at the Albany Defense School before heading to San Francisco where she worked for a short time. Returning to Oregon, Donna worked at States Steamship and Gates Rubber Co. After her marriage, she found a job that would become a lifetime position. She worked for Cooley Construction for over 50 years, retiring at age 80. Donna loved golf, bowling, bridge and pinochle. It was her card-playing friends that brought great joy to the later years of her life. Her other love was travel. She visited many European and Asian countries as well as numerous sites throughout North America with her husband and with a very special travel partner after Don's death in 1994. Donna is survived by her daughter, Debby Gerdes and husband, Glen; and their son, Ryan, all of Corvallis. She is also survived by her brother, Harry Oehler and his wife, Irene, both of Dallas, Ore.; and their children, Les Oehler, Linda McNally, Shirley Brown and Mark Oehler. A memorial service to which family and friends are invited will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009, in Gateway Little Chapel of the Chimes, 1515 N.E. 106th Ave., Portland, OR 97220. Burial will be in Willamette National Cemetery. Her final months were made comfortable because of a very special caregiver, without whom we would have all been lost. If you wish, in lieu of flowers, you may send a contribution in Donna's name to Providence Hospice, 6410 N.E. Halsey St., Suite 300, Portland, OR 97213; or a charity of your choice.
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