Donna Pauline Sampson

Donna Pauline Sampson, age 88, a lifetime resident of Cedonia, Wash., passed away on Jan. 20, 2026, in Colville, Wash. Donna was born at home on Nov. 15, 1937, in Cedonia, Wash. She was the daughter of Robert Loren and Mildred Pauline (Timken) Dashiell.

She was a farmgirl through and through, raised on the family farm in Cedonia. Donna attended grade school at the one-room schoolhouse in Cedonia. In the seventh grade, Donna began attending school in Hunters. She graduated from Columbia High School in 1955 as the Valedictorian of her class. She then moved to Spokane and worked as a secretary for Bekins Moving & Storage. On March 15, 1958, Donna married her high school sweetheart, Buddy “Bud” Raymond Sampson in Spokane, Wash. They resided in Spokane for a time and then returned to Cedonia in 1959. There they began raising a family, Donna worked in the home and on the family farm. In 1963 they purchased their own farm, and with the help of Donna’s parents, Loren and Mildred Dashiell, built a “Grade A” dairy from the ground up. They proudly shipped top quality milk to Darigold Farms for 23 years, being honored as Washington State Dairy Family of the year in 1974. Donna worked hard alongside Bud; never once complaining while raising their precious girls, tending to her garden, milking the cows, farming, mowing the yard, baking, and canning. She cooked large meals for the farm’s crews and would deliver the meals to the field in the back of their Ford LTD, complete with a washing station for before and after meals. In 1986, Donna and Bud sold the dairy and became full time wheat farmers, at which time Donna earned her Commercial Driver’s License so that she could drive “Ole’ Pete” the grain truck to the Hunters elevator to store those golden kernels to feed America. Bud preceded Donna in death on May 2, 2022. She resided on the farm until just recently when her health began to decline.

Donna was loving and always devoted to her family and community. She was a wonderfully-talented seamstress and shared this gift with her daughters. Their sewing entries at the local fairs culminated with them attending the state fair year after year. She always wanted the girls to do their very best and look their best in everything they did. Donna was the dough maker for the Hunters Presbyterian Church fundraisers for many years. She and Bud enjoyed golfing, snowmobiling, bowling, and traveling in their fifth wheel camper. They traveled with their camper to Alaska, the Calgary Stampede, and to Branson, Missouri. She loved her life, no matter what she was doing, be it farming, milking cows, raising her family, or on the road for family gatherings, community functions, or just for fun!

Donna was the church pianist at the Presbyterian Church in Hunters as well as a charter member of the Cedonia Community Church. She was also the sexton of the Cedonia Community Cemetery for over 40 years.

She is survived by her daughters: Denise Steele of Hunters, Wash.; and Pam Hergesheimer (Rod) of Chewelah, Wash.

Grandchildren: Jeffrey Gibson of Spokane Valley, Wash.; J.R. Steele of Hunters, Wash.; Jessica Nelson (Corbin) of Spokane, Wash.; Alicia Hergesheimer-Grady (Joe) of Fall City, Wash.; Jonna Hergesheimer-Savitz (David) of Spokane, Wash.; and Nephew/“Bonus Son” Mark Bakken (Diana) of Carlton, Wash.

Seven great-grandchildren: Adrianna Gibson, Izabella Gibson, Lyla Savitz, Brooke Savitz, Kaylyn Savitz, Charlotte Grady, and Miles “Bubba” Grady.

Brother William C. “Bud” Dashiell (Edith) of Caldwell, Idaho; and sister Thelma Walker of Kettle Falls, Wash.; sister-in-law Shirley Coulter (George) of Gig Harbor, Wash.; brother-in-law Wayne Sampson (Marlene) of Cedonia, Wash.; sister-in-law Tina Sampson of Colville, Wash.; son-in-law John H. Steele, of Fruitland, Wash; many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends.

Donna was preceded in death by her husband Bud; her parents, Loren and Mildred; and sister Dorothy Bakken.

A celebration of life will begin at 11 a.m. March 7, at the Cedonia Community Church in Cedonia, Wash.  Donna will be laid to rest beside her husband, Bud, at the Cedonia Community Cemetery with Pastor Ed Dashiell Officiating.

The family would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Buena Vista Healthcare, and Danekas Funeral Home for their compassionate care and respect that was given to our mother.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Cedonia Cemetery Association in care of Pastor Ed Dashiell.

Please visit the online memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com.  Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory is entrusted with the arrangements.