Donna Virginia (Lundstrom) Giesy

Donna Virginia (Lundstrom) Giesy, 78, passed away in Bellevue, WA on January 13, 2024, with family members at her bedside. Her death was due to complications following surgery.

She was the youngest of three daughters born to Albert and Virginia Lundstrom on March 18, 1945 in Ellensburg, WA.

She was a life-long resident of Ellensburg and attended Lourdes Academy where she fondly remembered wearing her school uniform and performing duties as a crossing guard on what was then the freeway through town (now University Way).  She graduated from Ellensburg High School in 1963 where she was in the Top 10 Percent of her class and made several life-long friends.  After graduation she began her college studies, while her boyfriend, Eric Giesy, went to Viet Nam.  In three years, Donna graduated from CWSC in 1966 with a degree in elementary education.

She married Eric Giesy on September 9, 1966, in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho.  They were married for over 57 years.  They had two children, Michael of Girdwood, AK, and Melissa (Sandy) Stevenson of Othello, WA.

She began her teaching career in Ellensburg in a part time position and later as a substitute teacher. In 1969, she took a position in the Cle Elum School District where she taught first grade, kindergarten, or remedial reading for 37 years. She developed a strong bond with her teaching colleagues Sheri Siena, Bonnie Christian, Grace DeFore, Rachel Palo, Janis Bland and Remie Davis.  She retired in 2005.

Donna enjoyed several hobbies throughout her life, but her favorite was watching her children and later her grandchildren in their athletic competitions. She was their number one fan and would travel great distances where she only had eyes for them while they competed. She enjoyed a good yard sale, often accompanied by Eric or close friends, and she was an accomplished treasure hunter who had a love for many collections.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents.  She is survived by her husband, her children, her four grandchildren Reece Ravet, Tiana Giesy, Shea and Scout Stevenson, her sisters Arelene (Warren dec.) Davis of Vancouver, WA, Roberta (Carroll dec.) Gorg of Lake Oswego, OR and nieces Beth Sismore and Julie Richardson.  Long-time friends include Tom and Susie Rogers, Trudy Ravet, Patt Stevenson, Jason and Carole Stevenson, Marlys Rasmussen, JoAnne Borden and Joy Lessard.

A memorial celebrating Donna’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, at the Giesy residence at 1040 Hungry Junction Road.  In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Ellensburg Animal Shelter.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Johnston & Williams of Ellensburg.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.johnston-williams.com