Obituary of Donna Lee Stewart
Donna Lee Stewart (82) resident of St. Maries, ID passed away on May 15, 2019. She was born to Martin and Oana (Van De Vanter) Sletto on June 10, 1936 in Alberta, Canada. Donna’s father was a farmer; therefore she grew up on the Palouse in Washington where he farmed. She met and married John Yeager, and the couple married on November 10, 1952 in Stevenson, WA. They had 4 children, and Donna stayed home to take care of her children. In 1962 Donna and her family moved to King City, CA. They lived on a ranch and she continued to stay at home with her children and run the household. After a few years on the ranch, the family moved to Pine Canyon. John and Donna later divorced.
Donna went to work for Basic American Foods as a Lab Tech in the dehydrating plant. She met Robert Stewart, and they married September 16, 1978. Robert and Donna stayed in Pine Canyon, and they enjoyed going to antique sales and craft shows. They also enjoyed traveling. After many years together Robert died, and Donna’s son Donald moved in with his mother to take care of her. In 2003 they made the decision to move to St. Maries, ID with their friends Bob and Betty Frasier. Donna enjoyed her yard, and loved spending time on her swing on her deck. She overlooked a beautiful yard with her collection of 60+ garden gnomes. Donna was a dedicated 49ers fan from the days of Joe Montana and Jerry Rice. She also enjoyed going to the casino, and when they were still in business she looked forward to going to breakfast at Bud’s Drive Inn. This is where she met her very good friend Tami Taylor, who visited her often, and would sit with her in her illness.
Donna is survived by her sons John (Norma) Yeager of Gold City, OR, Kennith (Rachel) Yeager of Bakersville, CA, Donald (Janeth) Yeager of St. Maries, ID, and Allan Yeager of St. Maries, ID; daughter in-law Kathy Stevenson of King City, CA; 12 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband Robert Stewart; 2 infant twin daughters; and siblings Martin Sletto Jr, Olin Sletto, Allan Sletto, and Geraldine Sletto.
A celebration of her life will be planned at a later date.
