Donna Handyside

Donna Mildred Handyside (Olson) age 92 passed away on May 4, 2024, in Nampa, Idaho. She was born on April 22, 1932, in Bagley, Minnesota.
Donna grew up in Minnesota on the family farm outside Bagley with her parents Otto and Lena Olson and two younger sisters. As the oldest of three girls in the family, she worked in the fields with horse-drawn farm machinery to help her dad on the farm. She attended school in Bagley where she graduated high school. After high school, she earned her teacher’s certificate on June 14, 1951. She was teaching in a one-room schoolhouse when she met and married Duane Handyside on July 16,1955. They settled on a farm near Fosston, Minnesota.
Donna and Duane moved several times over the following years. After leaving the farm in Minnesota they moved to Laramie Wyoming, then to Baker City for the first time, then on to Halfway Oregon, Orofino Idaho, Junction City Oregon, and finally back to Baker City where they lived for many years. She worked as a stay-at-home mom and raised her five children, while also working part-time jobs like picking strawberries and raspberries in the summers. When her children were older, she worked as a cook at North Baker Elementary and Baker High School in Baker City where she retired.
Donna was a dedicated Christian who worshiped at the Nazarene Church in Baker City, Oregon. There are numerous prayer journals spanning over many decades, where she faithfully prayed for her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives, friends, and strangers. If you knew Donna, she probably prayed for you. She was a warm and compassionate person dedicated to God and her family.
Donna had many hobbies, including caring for her vegetable garden and flower beds, sewing, knitting, crocheting, and embroidery. She especially enjoyed making intricate quilts with unique designs and patterns with applique being her favorite. She also enjoyed the outdoors and loved to camp and fish.
Donna is survived by her sisters Gloria Sander and Mavis Schubert, her children Gary (Anita) Handyside, Neil (Mary) Handyside, Sharon (Bill) Orton, and Julie Handyside, as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Duane Handyside and her son Bryan Handyside.
A graveside service to honor Donna will be held on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at 2:00 pm Pacific Daylight Time at Mount Hope Cemetery, 1012 South Bridge Street, Baker City, Oregon, 97814. A reception following at Baker City Nazarene Church. To help celebrate her life we ask that you dress in bright spring colors. Donna loved spring and her yard was overflowing with flowers of every color.
We also invite you to share your memories of her and upload photos to her memorial page.