We are deeply saddened by the passing of Donna Beverly Friesen (nee Heinzelman) of Kamloops.

Daughter to Clarence and Esther Heinzelman, both predeceased and also by her brother Max.

Donna is survived by her husband Thane Sr., her sons Thane (Andree) and Jason (Dasha), her grandchildren Jacob, Deja, Mick, Dasha, Jelise and Cade. Also left to cherish her memory are her sisters Dorothy (Greg) and Brenda, her brother Brian, her niece and nephews Leif, Alison, Dane and Forrest.

Early in her life, mom moved to Quesnel with her family attending school. The family construction business surrounded mom with some honest hardworking tough guys. She led her life this way. At 17, not completing school, she moved to Vancouver to live with an aunt and started work in a furniture factory. On November 27, 1965, she married dad and started a family over the next few years. Mom worked in a plywood plant and at Super Valu. By the age of 24 with two young boys, mom lost her mother and became parent to her younger siblings, holding the family together.

In 1973 we moved to Kamloops. Mom became an avid hockey mom, taking us to our games and practices while maintaining a household. She was a great cook and always looked after us. Years later she worked at the Kamloops News as Supervisor in the classifieds. Here she loved the great times with her co-workers and customers, enjoying many laughs with her great sense of humor and open ear to anyone.

Over the years mom enjoyed many holiday occasions with family executing her great cooking skills. We spent this last Thanksgiving with her, which was her favorite holiday. It was the first time she was not able to cook.

Mom's hobbies were antique collecting, cooking and was an avid gardener. She loved and was always surrounded by animals. Her grandchildren meant everything to her and she was very proud of them. Mom always had a place in her heart to give herself to people whether it was kids in the neighborhood, seniors at Tim Horton's or people at the dog park. Social status was irrelevant to mom.

Larger than life Donna is gone
but never forgotten.
Our hearts are empty.

Rest in Peace, mom!

Special thanks to Dr. Stoltze and the staff of Interior Health.

Please in lieu of flowers, donations to the Kamloops SPCA in memory of mom would be appreciated.

A Private burial will be Friday, October 19, 2012 at Hillside Cemetery.

A party and Celebration of mom's life will be held on Saturday, October 20, 2012 from 2:00 to 5:00 pm at the Colombo Lodge (rear entrance), all friends and acquaintances of mom are welcome as well as friends of her family.

Services entrusted to Schoening Funeral Service, 250-374-1454.