Donna Wilkinson

Donna Hinckley Wilkinson

1930 ~ 2021

Donna Hinckley Wilkinson was born to Jesse and Zena Hinckley on March 2, 1930 in Menan, Idaho.  She was the oldest daughter and third child of the family of eight children.  Donna spent her early years in Rexburg and surrounding areas of Idaho.  In 1943, the Hinckley family moved to Salt Lake City.  While living there, Donna graduated from East High School in 1947.  Later she attended Salt Lake Area Vocational School to obtain a Licence Practical Nursing degree.  She worked at Cottonwood Hospital for several years after her children were in school.

In 1947, Donna met her future eternal companion; Gerald Wilkinson while attending the 11th Ward of Emigration Stake.  She often reminded us that the first time she heard him speak was when he blessed the sacrament.  When some of her siblings invited Gerald to hang out with them, they became friends and eventually a couple.  Gerald went on a two year mission and Donna waited for him.  She often would say the guys in the ward knew she was waiting for him and at ward dances would “put her back on the shelf” until he came home.

Two weeks after Gerald returned from his mission, they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on November 8, 1951.  Just two months later they faced another separation when Gerald was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean Conflict.  To their union were born five children, Ron, Verna, Gary, Dwayne, and Diana,

They bought their first home in Cottonwood Heights, known then as Butlerville and there they raised their three sons and two daughters.

Donna was always active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in several positions including teaching and presidencies in the Primary, Relief Society and Mutual Organizations.  She was a gifted teacher and spent many days and hours on lessons.  She was very knowledgeable in the gospel and had a strong testimony of our Savior.

Donna had many talents.  She sang in choirs, she learned to play the accordion, piano and organ, she crocheted and knitted, and made beautiful quilts, she was an excellent cook and was a great friend to all who knew her.  She was very compassionate and kind to all who came her way.  She was truly an elect lady.

After they became empty nesters, Gerald and Donna moved to Draper and became snowbirds during their early retirement splitting their time between Draper and St. George.  Their children and grandchildren have many wonderful memories of Thanksgiving in St. George.

Donna and Gerald served four missions together which included Ireland Dublin, North Carolina Raleigh, Washington Spokane and finally the Utah Salt Lake City South mission where she was in charge of the vehicle fleet.

After their missions were finished, and now in their 80th birth year, Gerald and Donna sold their St. George home and later their Draper home.  They wanted to be close to their children in Davis County so they built their dream home in Layton.

Donna passed away peacefully on January 27, 2021 of natural causes in her Layton home.

Donna is survived by her husband of 69 years, Gerald, and her children Ron (Maud Mary) Wilkinson, Verna (Rick) Lutes, Gary (Beverly) Wilkinson, Dwayne (Patty) Wilkinson and Diana (Hal) Jensen.  She also leaves behind 28 grandchildren, 60 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren,

She is also survived by her remaining siblings, Ila (Ken) Walker, Erma Smith and Lowell Hinckley.

Private funeral services will be held Monday, February 1, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.  Friends may visit with family Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Rd., Layton, Utah.

Interment, Mountain View Memorial Estates.

Funeral services will live streamed at https://youtu.be/9piXN7ehpjM