Donna Lorraine was born Wednesday November 18, 1953 to Norman Ira and Olive Catharine (McKinnon) Friest in Wiarton. Donna was the middle child of ten: Mary; Karen; Betty; Norma; Donna; Debbie; Steve; Connie; Sue; and Leonard.
Donna’s father Norman was born March 31, 1926 also in Wiarton and died December 7, 1992. Olive was born October 21, 1930 in Owen Sound and died either the 18th or 19th of May, 2012.
It was a difficult upbringing for Donna and her siblings. Luckily they grew up on a farm as there was plenty of space to run and frolic and food was somewhat readily available. As a kid, Donna was fortunate enough to have Shetland ponies as well as other farm animals and pets. Yet, on the other hand, growing up on the farm also meant a lot of dirty, hard, physical work. Dad, Norman, worked at Krug Brothers’ Furniture Factory in Chesley, where he also boarded, and was only home on the weekends. This meant the majority of the labour fell to the children. Being from such a large family the siblings had raised themselves.
Donna, in addition to some of her other siblings, never did complete high school. The public school the Friest children attended was a one room school house. Donna didn’t particularly like school, but the work load at home was such that school wasn’t really an option anyways. Donna has a deep connection with the singer/songwriter Loretta Lynn. Not only did she love her music but she shared similar childhood hardships with Loretta.
Donna stayed on the farm until around 1972 when she began to babysit for the three children of Martin Klerks: Donna (born in 1961); Tony (Born in 1963); and Randy (born in 1965). Martin was born in 1938 and his marriage had disintegrated. On April 27, 1974 Martin and Donna were joined in holy matrimony in Owen Sound. They lived just outside of Elmwood. A year later little Sheila was born. The Klerks family moved into Chesley and in time, and after much renovating, they moved into the old Roman Catholic School. Tony was just fourteen at the time and worked as hard as any of the men on the project. Hard work was known on both sides of the family.
Donna was a simple woman. She wasn’t picky by any stretch of the imagination. However, she did like pretty things and loved to collect dolls, bird figurines and stuffed animal bears. She had such a passion for birds and animals of all kinds. Nature, in general, was much appreciated by Donna. Watching the wild birds at her bird feeders gave Donna hours of pleasure and entertainment. Her favourite bird was the cardinal. Throughout her life time, Donna had a number of odd pets, including her parrot “James,” a red Irish Setter named “Blue,” as well as cats and dogs (including Sheila’s first poodle).
Of course, there was the love of Sheila’s miniature and Standardbred horses. Few pictures are available of Donna with the horses as she was always behind the camera lens. Donna was the best of the best when it came to supporting her family. No matter what, Donna was in their corner cheering them on! She had so much love for each and every family member in her own special way. Very dear to her were her grandchildren and great grandchildren. It is virtually impossible to be such a strong advocate and stand in the limelight as well. So, Donna stayed in the background loving her family forward. She was always sensitive to the needs of others and she was constantly taking care of others.
This may have made it difficult for Donna when she fell, hurting her back, and progressively needing more and more care. Martin died January 14, 1996 and this truly broke Donna’s heart. Never finding love in another man, Donna awaited the day they would be united once again. It has been said that the song, Islands in the Stream characterizes their relationship together.
Islands in the stream
That is what we are
No one in-between
How can we be wrong
Sail away with me to another world
And we rely on each other, ah-ah
From one lover to another, ah-ah.
Reading helped Donna fill the long hours of being alone. She loved to read the Anne of Green Gableseries of novels, written by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Donna also enjoyed Beverly Lewis’ many Amish-related novels based, in part on her own mother’s Plain heritage. Watching Little House on the Prairie and The Waltons fell right in line with Donna’s love of book series based on the simple, plain, hard working life. Then of course there were the numerous children’s shows she also enjoyed watching. Having cared for children all for her life, Donna was well acquainted with children’s TV, music and books! She greatly enjoyed passing the time by colouring! (She was actually very artistic.) All of this, and Donna’s experience as a child herself, helped to form her as a very appreciative, uncomplicated and easy going woman.
Loretta Lynn was not Donna’s only favourite singer. She also enjoyed listening to Johnny Cash and Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah! Listening to the Galaxy Nature TV programs was a good compliment to her love of nature. Along with all of Donna’s collectibles there are also numerous cook books and recipe clippings. This includes her grandmother’s cookbook, as well – well read and well used. She loved to both cook and bake and greatly enjoyed chocolate, pepperettes and anything that could be BBQ’d. In time, Donna finally gained enough courage to try lobster and even enjoyed that! In addition, Donna loved all things Dutch, especially her Delft Blue earthenware.
Sadly, Donna Lorraine Klerks of Chesley, passed away suddenly at home on Thursday, April 20, 2017 in her 64th year.
Loving mother of Sheila Klerks (Peter Hick), Randy (Jackie), Tony (Mary) and Donna Klerks (Bob Early). Cherished grandmother of Christopher, Melissa, Nathan, Casey, Nicole, Tanya, Troy and great-grandmother of Alexcia, Anthony, Madden, Colten. Donna was eagerly awaiting the arrival of two more great-grandchildren in the coming weeks! She will be fondly remembered by her siblings, Mary Anne (Ron) Coach, Karen Elliott, Stephen (Debbie) Friest, Betty (David) Hunter, Debra (Roger) LeBlanc, Connie D’Auvernay, Susan Friest (Stephen Grein), Leonard (Carla) Friest and their families. Donna was predeceased by her husband Martin Klerks, sister Norma Nightingale and her parents, Norman and Olive (McKinnon) Friest.
Visitation will be held at Rhody Family Funeral Home, Chesley on Thursday, April 27, 2017 from 12 noon until the time of the funeral service at 2 p.m. Interment in Chesley Cemetery.
Memorial donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
