Donna Lee Van Beek, 93, formerly from Grays Harbor, departed this life on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, at the Oregon Veteran’s Home in Lebanon, Oregon.

Donna was born on Nov. 21, 1928, in Lacomb, Oregon to Otto and Bessie Mae (Sweeney) Cox. The family moved to Hoquiam when Donna was 5. Donna graduated from Hoquiam High School in June 1947 and subsequently married Russel Warren Van Beek on June 29, 1947.

Russel and Donna moved to Aberdeen where they raised their their children. In 1969, Donna went to work for Dr. A. Nauman in Elma, Washington as a dental assistant and office manager. After Dr. Nauman’s retirement, Donna worked in a similar role for a brief time for Dr. Al Johnson in Aberdeen retiring in 1996.

Donna was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Aberdeen. Russel and Donna loved to square-dance and were members of the Wishkah Swingsters and the Harbor Hay Lofters for over 40 years. Donna loved being a home maker and taking care of her family. One of her greatest joys in life was camping in the Pacific Northwest. She would rather cook over an open campfire than in a kitchen. Upon retirement, Donna and Russel spent many summers taking their grandchildren camping sometimes for weeks at a time. Donna and Russel also made several cross-country camping trips in their travel trailer to visit family and friends across the U.S. Donna loved meeting new people and made friends everywhere she lived and established many long-term friendships over the years.

Donna and Russel moved to Lebanon Oregon in 2014 to be closer to family. Donna is survived by her husband of 74 years Russel Van Beek, who resides in Lebanon, Oregon; two sons: Rex (Andrea) Van Beek of Selah, Washington; Stanley Van Beek of Albany, Oregon; their daughter Vicky Karr of Jacksonville, Florida; six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

There will be a funeral service for Donna on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022 at 12 p.m. at Fern Hill Funeral Home’s chapel. A reception will follow the service in the Dorothy Mann Reception Hall. Private burial will take place later at Fern Hill Cemetery, Aberdeen, Washington.

Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, Washington.