Donna Rosella Van Velzer, 101, passed away peacefully alongside her loved ones on April 2.

Born on April 29, 1923, in Springfield, MN, Donna was the beloved daughter of Torvold

and Nora Anderson. She married Don Van Velzer in November of 1944 and had four children- Don, Patti, Craig, and Janna. She moved to Astoria, OR in 1958, which she

called home for 67 years.

Donna's outstanding legacy includes six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, with an eleventh on the way. All her grandchildren lovingly called her Grammy and always

knew where to go to sneak a piece of chocolate or licorice.

Donna was a mother, homemaker, provider, life-long Catholic, and volunteer. She

worked at St. Mary's Star of The Sea, serving lunch, freshly baked treats, and a smile to

hundreds of kids. As a staple at the school for over 26 years, she fed multiple

generations of Astorians. Donna later volunteered at the Columbia Memorial Hospital

gift shop for over 20 years, cementing herself as a compassionate presence throughout

the community.

Donna loved the Portland Trail Blazers. Perpetually cheering on the team, she

affectionately referred to each player by their first name. She scribbled notes about the

league on countless pads of paper she received in the mail from the myriads of

charities and foundations she supported.

She also loved to play games, especially cards and dominoes. She taught each of her

grandchildren how to play before teaching them how to lose, cracking a thin smile with

each victory. She was relentless in Bingo, winning all the dimes of her co-residents at

Astor Place, where she called home for seven years.

Donna was a tender woman, whose faith and curiosity guided an enduring life. She

believed everyone deserves the right to live whatever life they desired. Her accepting

and generous mentality cascaded to everyone in her family, wherein her love will

continue to grow.

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She is now reunited with her husband, Don, and her son, Craig.

Donna was a bedrock to the Astoria community. If you wish to take part in the

celebration of her life, a rosary will be held at 10:30 am, followed by the funeral at 11 am,

at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church, on Saturday, April 12.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made in Donna's name to St. Jude's

Children's Research Hospital.