Donna Widdison Draper

Donna Widdison Draper died peacefully on her 87th birthday at the home of her youngest daughter Julie Millerberg in Clinton, Utah of the lingering effects of a stroke which she suffered in September 2010. Donna was born on October 22, 1924, in Hooper, Utah, the tenth of eleven children of James Gourley Widdison, Jr. and Lillian Elnora Gardner. She was raised on the family dairy farm in Hooper, working alongside her large family, learning to love family, friends, work, and her church. She was chosen as the Hooper Tomato Queen in 1942. She graduated from Weber High in Ogden in 1942, and with the war, she was unable to attend college as she had dreamed of. Rather, she had the opportunity to work as a secretary at the Ogden Defense Depot on Second Street. Her skills in organization, typing, and shorthand allowed her to rise to become the secretary to the ranking civilian at the depot, Ed Miller. She began corresponding with Ed''s wife Josephine''s brother, Rulon P. Draper, who was a Marine serving in the Pacific. Shortly after the war ended, Rulon and Donna were married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on September 18, 1945. Soon after, Rulon began studies at the Utah Agricultural College (now USU) in Logan, Utah. There, Donna and Rulon started their family, having four children by the time Rulon graduated with a degree in horticulture in 1950. Rulon and Donna then lived for several years in Spanish Fork, Utah before moving in 1954 to Farmington, Utah where Rulon managed the USU Experimental Station. In North Farmington, they raised their ten children. Upon Rulon''s retirement in 1982, they moved to the family home in Hooper, Utah. Rulon and Donna served a mission together in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands from 1986 to 1987. Donna had learned to speak Spanish in an adult education course and was excited to use her Spanish on her mission. They loved the people on the island of St. Croix. For twenty-nine years Donna made her home in Hooper where she was close to her brothers and sisters. They met regularly in the mornings to visit and discuss the affairs of the world. Her mother, Lillian, was famous for her flowers, yard, and garden. Once in the family home, she carried on the same tradition of beauty in her home and yard. Many said it was one of the most beautiful in Hooper. Up until her stroke in September 2010, she was regularly working in her yard, tending her flowers, and famously mowing her lawn. Donna had great pride in all of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and their many accomplishments. She found particular joy watching them serve the Lord and raise righteous families, serving missions, and marrying in the temple. Her posterity has served in the four corners of the world, speak multiple languages, and have learned to love their fellow beings. She truly hoped that families can be together forever. She served faithfully in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in multiple callings throughout her life. She taught gospel doctrine after graduating from high school and was the first Golden Gleaner in Hooper. She was Relief Society President in Farmington and Stake Relief Society President in Hooper. Donna and Rulon served together in the Ogden LDS Temple. She always strived to do her duty and serve the Lord. Donna and Rulon had ten children, 56 grandchildren and 95 great-grandchildren. She is survived by nine of her 10 children and a daughter-in-law, Duane (Teresa), Manila, Utah; Janis Draper Clark, Rexburg, ID; Deanna (George) Buck, Hooper, Utah; Eileen (Jim) Telford, Farmington, New Mexico; Ron (Lorelei), Delta, Utah; Don (Alene), Chanhassen, Minnesota; Brent (DeAnn), Kaysville, Utah; Lynn (Barbara) Salt Lake City, Utah; Sue (Ted) Wiggins, Salt Lake City, Utah; and Julie (Mike) Millerberg, Clinton, Utah. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Rulon of fifty-one years, who died on January 31, 1997, and her second oldest son David, who died at age fifty-two of cancer. Three grand children also have died, Robert Draper, Andrew Draper, and Heather Millerberg. She missed them all greatly. Two of her siblings and two sisters-in-law remain, Don (Virginia) Widdison, Ruth Dawson, Lorelle Widdison of Hooper and Elon Widdison of Bountiful. Her large extended family gave her great joy. She will be missed by her family and many friends. Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 29th at 12:00 noon at the Shannondoah Ward Chapel, 5000 South 5900 West, Hooper. The family will meet with friends on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist''s Roy Mortuary, 3333 West 5600 South on Saturday from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. at the church. Interment, Hooper Cemetery.