Donna Brattkus, 70
Donna Brattkus, 70, passed away at her Trestle Creek home near Hope, Idaho on Monday, Dec. 26, 2005, after a difficult battle with cancer. No services have been scheduled.
Donna was born on July 31, 1935 to Charles and Frances Ferguson. She grew up in Ellensburg, Wash., where she met and married Arthur Brattkus while they were both attending Central Washington State College. Together they served for 20 years in the United States Air Force, he flying jets and she raising their four children. In 1976 they retired from the nomadic lifestyle of the military and settled in Hope, where they worked for several years building their dream home on the banks of Trestle Creek.
Donna had a deep desire to serve mankind, which was the motivation for her life. She was active in the community and was instrumental in starting the Gardenia Center, working to provide a place where people could gather and enrich themselves through spiritual expansion. She served on the Gardenia Center Board of Directors and helped organize its "Rainbow Kitchen," where people could come together and experience a sense of kinship while receiving a free meal served with friendly smiles. Donna always shared everything she had with anyone who needed it.
She is survived by her four children, Erich (Pam) Brattkus of Roselle, Ill., Carla (Winston) Crook of Trestle Creek, Kirk Brattkus, of La Canada, Calif., and Karen Knaggs of Cocolalla, Idaho; six grandchildren, Halley Brattkus, Spencer Cook, Maya and Ari Brattkus and Josh and Jazmine Knaggs.
She was preceded in death by her husband Arthur Brattkus. She leaves the world a richer place because of her presence in it, and she will be missed.
Bonner County Hospice staff and volunteers were an invaluable source of help and comfort to both she and her family. It would be her desire that all memorials be made to Bonner Community Hospice, P.O. Box 1448, Sandpoint, ID 83864, so they can continue this loving service to those who need it so greatly.
Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling her arrangements. Please visit Donna's memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign her online guest book.