Donna Despain Tanner passed away peacefully in Lindon, Utah on November 23, 2023, at the age of 89. She was born October 21, 1934, in Lovell, Wyoming to Mary Asay and William Quail Despain. Donna was number 5 of 11 children. She always spoke fondly of summer days on the farm, eating green apples, and playing with siblings and cousins. She was in multiple school plays and spoke on the radio, and was an honor roll student

As a young woman Donna served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Uruguay where she fell in love with both the people and the language. She later graduated from Brigham Young University and became a beloved elementary school teacher, filling her spare time with stake missionary work. Donna then married Silas Kelly Stuart and they had 3 children together. After divorcing, she put herself back through school to become a nurse, a profession she felt comfortable juggling while devoting her time to her children. As a nurse, she spent many happy years serving those who were unable to help themselves. She also held many callings within the Church.

In 1983 she married Colvin Reece Tanner who had 7 children of his own, all of whom she has loved as her own. Donna did not care if you were a step or in-law, you were hers. Between Donna and Colvin, they had 10 children, 44 grandchildren, 105 great grandchildren and 59 great greats, with at least 2 more on the way.

After retiring she served 6 more missions for the Church, where she used her love for others, God, and of course her Spanish as much as possible. She served in Mexico (Family History), Thailand (Service, teaching teachers how to teach English), Costa Rica (Proselyting), Dominican Republic (Temple), Guatemala (Temple), and Los Angeles (Family History). Her greatest pastime activities were genealogy, spending time in the Temple, and being with family. Donna would jump at any chance to do them together.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents: William Quail Despain and Mary Asay Despain; husband, Colvin Reece Tanner; 3 children: Sara-Ruth Tanner Johnson, John Colvin Tanner and Dawnell Stuart; 2 sons-in-law: Alfred Duane Johnson and Aaron Amundsen Beard; 5 siblings: Joyce Despain Lemon, Eleazer Despain, Elna Despain Peterson, Ronald Despain, and Merrill Despain; 4 grandchildren: Carissa Hardy, Lena Tanner, Amanda Hardy and James Stuart; granddaughter- in-law, Angela Birchfield; and 2 great-grandchildren: Caleb Avis and Hope Quigley.

She is survived by 5 siblings: Bill Despain, Marian (Ed) Lee, John (Sandra) Despain, Margaret Pickering and Alan (Jennie) Despain; 7 children: Agnes Patrica (Fred) Openshaw, J. Lee (Becky) Tanner, Barbara (Dale) Hardy, Mary (Michael) Moore, James (Lee) Tanner, John (Julie) Stuart and Kelli (Jorge) Lacerda.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the missionary fund at ChurchofJesusChrist.Org.

Funeral Services will be on Friday December 1, 2023 at 11am in the Lakeview Stake 450 west 1800 south in Orem. Friends may visit with the family on Thursday November 30, 2023 from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Walker Sanderson Funeral Home 646 east 800 north Orem or on Friday from 10:00-10:45 am at the church prior to services. Interment will be in at the Payson City Cemetery

A special thanks to the staff of Spring Gardens in Lindon, Utah and Serenity Hospice for the great love, care, and respect given to our dear mother.