Donna Marie Kelsey, 79, of Idaho Falls, passed away peacefully on December 24, 2022, at home.

She was born March 5, 1943, in Los Angeles, CA to Zimara (Jerald) and Carma Palmer. The family eventually moved back to Shelley, Idaho where she grew up with her older siblings. She met the love of her life at the age of fourteen and they were married on March 20, 1959. A couple of years later she started nursing school with the Nuns at St. Mary's. After Donna's girls were grown, she continued her education and became a Certified Surgical Scrub Technician. She loved working in surgery. Her favorite was orthopedics. She developed remarkably close relationships with four of her nursing companions. We call them The Girls. Nadine, Janette, Debbie, and Mary, we thank you for being so close to her and appreciate all you did for her. She loved each of you and genuinely enjoyed all the time she spent with you girls.

Donna loved playing pinochle, bowling, golfing, playing horseshoes, and camping. Her favorite place was at their lot in Island Park. She loved going fishing with dad, but not so much fishing, she liked sitting on the boat, soaking up the sun, and reading a book. She usually caught the most fish too. She loved dragging the grandkids up a mountain that she named Donna's Mountain.

Donna was preceded in death by her loving husband, Verge; her bothers: Bob Palmer and Jerald Palmer; and her sister, Sharlene Wattenbarger.

She is survived by her three daughters: Tammy (George) DeLong, Cherie Kelsey, and Kris (Jared) Bowcutt; Grandsons: Paul Boyles, Clinton Boyles, Cody Boyles, Seth Barreras, Michael Barreras, Landon Barreras, Cameron Bowcutt; her only granddaughter, Ashlee Siepkar; and fifteen great-grandchildren.

Donna requested not to have a service. There will be a private family memorial this summer so we can spread her and dad's ashes on Donna's Mountain per their wishes.

We would like to thank Hands of Hope Hospice and the Parkwood Meadows staff for their wonderful care of our mother.

Cremation is under the direction of Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First Street, Idaho Falls.