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She loved her life and taught many lessons to those lucky enough to know her: get outside, dig in the dirt, catch some fish, create something with your hands, love a dog, bake cookies with little kids, plant flowers, hug a neck, eat from the garden, love Jesus and your people with your whole heart.
Donna was born on February 11, 1942, in Bonners Ferry. She spent her life in North Idaho and her heart was happiest in the mountains and rivers that made her home great.
Donna went through school in Bonners Ferry and was active in FHA and 4-H. She received her nursing assistant license from North Idaho College and worked for a number of medical practices throughout the Coeur d’Alene area. Donna finished out her career as an office manager for Lutheran Community Services and went on to serve many throughout her community as a volunteer after retirement.
In 1977, Donna co-founded the North Idaho Flycasters organization in Coeur d’Alene, and she taught fly tying and casting to fishermen young and old throughout the area. She had a fly tying vise attached to her end table as it held a rightful place of honor in her home.
Donna discovered a passion for music when she took voice lessons in her early years, and she sang in the North Idaho College choir, 3Cs Coeur d’Aleers and the North Idaho Sacred Music Chorale for many years. She spent her life in service to others, and the community she served at Lutheran Church of the Master were considered treasured members of her family.
In 1990 Donna went on a blind date to the Ground Round with Ernie Bakman, and her first trip to Silverwood on the loop-de-loop led to marriage in 1991. Ernie and Donna loved to travel in their camper, kayaking and fishing her beloved rivers. They shared their lives for 26 years, and listening to the two of them laugh together was pure joy.
Donna was an accomplished seamstress, quilter, painter and gardener, and her canned goods were delicious enough to inspire her grandchildren to fight over green beans. She judged at county fairs all over North Idaho. Her quilts were treasured gifts for new babies, weddings and graduations, and some were given just because she thought you needed one. Donna organized a quilting group with fellow church members, and their quilts were sent around the world to help those who needed a warm hug.
Donna is survived by her husband, Ernest Bakman, brother Rod Robinson (Jeannie), uncle Hartley King (Janice), children Linda Hoyle (Ashley), Alan Soderling, Craig Soderling, Bret Coppess (Elizabeth) and Bruce Coppess (Michelle), 13 grandchildren and countless friends whom she considered family.
They will miss her redheaded spirit, sparkling laugh, all-too-honest Christmas letters and no-nonsense brand of unconditional love that can never be replaced.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Cancer & Community Charities of North Idaho, P. O. Box 1274, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83816.
Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene, is entrusted with the arrangements. Tributes may be left on her wall on the Yates Funeral Home website.