Donna Joan Steffey Millett

Donna Joan Steffey Millett (93) was born on August 7, 1933, in Coldwater, Michigan, to L. Dean Steffey and Iva Fern Herl. She was the youngest of three children, with siblings Hope Alleen Lawther and Warren Steffey, all of whom have preceded her in death.

Donna grew up in Coldwater, where she attended a one-room schoolhouse through the sixth grade. At the age of 15, she moved with her parents to Arizona because of her father’s health. She attended Mesa High School, where she made lifelong friendships and created many cherished memories.

When she was a Senior in High School she was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on January 6, 1951. She graduated from Mesa High School on May 25, 1951.

That same year, Donna met Donald Glen Millett. In 1952, they were sealed for time and all eternity in The Mesa Arizona Temple. Donald often called Donna the “Girl of his Dreams”, and their marriage was blessed with a special and enduring love that remained strong throughout their lives together.

Donna and Don were blessed with five children: Daniel, Stephanie, Donald Dean (died at birth), Cathleen, and Mark.

Donna devoted her life to being a wife and mother. She was a loving stay-at-home Mom who cherished her family and found great joy in caring for her children. Family was at the center of her life. She loved taking photographs, creating scrapbooks, and doing family history, preserving memories and stories for generations to come.

One of Donna and Don’s favorite places was their cabin in Christopher Creek, Arizona. They loved spending time there with their family and friends creating memories.

Donna faithfully served throughout her life in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Among her many callings were Primary President, Young Women’s President, Relief Society President and other various callings. In 1996 and 1997, Donna served together with her sweetheart as missionaries in the New Hampshire Manchester Mission.

Donna also shared a deep love for the temple. She loved attending the temple and had the privilege of serving as temple worker for more than 25 years.

Donna’s greatest legacy is the love she gave to her family. She leaves a large and loving posterity of 23 grandchildren and 88 great-grandchildren. She made each one feel important, loved, and special. One of her treasured traditions was calling each grandchild and great-grandchild on their birthday and singing to them. Those calls—and the sound of Nana’s voice singing “Happy Birthday”—became precious memories that her family will carry with them forever.

Donna’s life was one of faith, devotion, service, family, and love. She leaves behind not only a wonderful family, but generations of people who were blessed by her example and her unwavering faith. Her last words were “Tell your children I love them and to stay close to the church, it is so important”.

Donna is survived by four of her children, Daniel Millett (Colleen), Stephanie Reber (Keith), Cathleen Freeman (Craig), and Mark Millett, 23 grandchildren, and 88 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents L. Dean and Iva Steffey, her son, Donald Dean, her brother, Warren Steffey and sister Hope Lawther, and her grandson Jalen Melessa.

All who knew Donna are invited to join her family in remembering and celebrating her life.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.