Donni R. Olson
July 7, 1972 – August 30, 2021
On Aug. 30, Donni R. Olson, of Ephrata, died in Seattle at Virginia Mason when his body finally succumbed to his various ailments. Born in Ephrata on July 7, 1972, he graduated in 1990 from Ephrata High School and then enlisted in the US Air Force. After basic training, he was stationed in Germany supporting Operation Desert Storm. During his time in the Air Force, he was diagnosed with a kidney disease and received an Honorable/Medical discharge.
Donni worked various jobs until he settled at Performance Auto Sound, where he worked for almost two decades. He returned to Big Bend Community College and graduated top of his class in Applied Sciences (electronics) in spring 2012. Shortly after graduation, he began working at McCain Foods, as an electrician in Othello. He remained there until the medical problems that began 2.5 decades earlier got worse. The past 18 months, he was in and out of the hospital, until his final stay at Virginia Mason that lasted over two months.
He had various hobbies over his lifetime, Boy Scouts and Eagle Scouts as a child, played any instrument he could get his hands on, he loved bowling, working on cars, shooting guns, trying new foods. He even taught himself how to cook tons of different dishes. He took a lot of pride in his accomplishments.
He is survived by his mother, Jeannie, brother, Michael, daughters, Ashlie, Anjulie and Tianna, granddaughter, Annastasia, and girlfriend of two-plus decades, Shannon Edinger. He had a very large group of friends over the years who loved him. Donni’s family and friends were the most significant part of his life. He was preceded in death by his father, Dennis, in 2009.
A memorial service will be held at the American Legion club at 276 Eighth Ave. NW, Ephrata, WA, 98823, on Sept. 25 at 1:30. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations to the American Kidney Foundation.
Please express your thoughts and memories for the family at www.nicolesfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are the care of Nicoles Funeral Home of Ephrata.