Forever missed

Carolyn Scheff (sister)
Dana was so positive all the time, even when she was sick. I always admired her because she was so positive about the truth and wanted to make sure that, as long as she was living, she could see everything there was to see about Bible prophecy being fulfilled. Right to the end, she was able to listen to me and heard how we felt about her. I told her to have a good sleep, because when she wakes up we will have a lot of work to do.

Kathy Lazate (sister)
The last several years Dana and I always talked on the phone Thursday afternoon. We considered it our family worship as we would discuss the Watchtower for the week and spiritual gems. Dana loved creation and would tell me interesting things she learned about animals. I already miss our Thursday afternoon conversations.

Cindy Pleake (oldest daughter )
From the time we were small children, we were aware of how devoted my mom could be to any subject she was interested in. My earliest memories are filled with her faith in Jehovah and love of the natural world He created, especially horses. Wherever we traveled, she had a book of the local birds in her lap and told us their names. When we saw flowers or succulents of the desert, she also told us their names and characteristics. She always taught us how our heavenly father Jehovah viewed things. As I taught my own children, I realized how much I was teaching the stuff I had absorbed from my mother.

Growing up, I took all this for granted, but reflecting back I realize how fortunate we were to have a mother who was so enthusiastic about learning. Reading was never considered a waste of time. Hardly a week went by when we did not visit the local library. For her, studying was fun. To the end, her mind was lively and thirsting for knowledge. Her body wasted away, but the agile mind she treasured never did. She also had a great sense of humor and was ready to laugh at any of our jokes no matter how silly. I so look forward to the near future when she will be young again, living joyfully on this earth she loved so much.

Robin Widner (daughter)
My mom had a rich inner life that I was just getting to know. She lived her life preparing for the future when she would see my dad again and looked forward to bringing the Arabian breed back to its pure Bedouin state.
As a young artist she drew pictures from a western novel; and when she saw my dad step off a horse she said, ‘that’s the cowboy I have been drawing all my life’. 
My mom had a way with horses that amazed me. When we were all little my mom trained a wild horse in our back yard. In two weeks she was riding and in three weeks she had us three kids riding it together. Together my parents made a business of what is only a hobby for most, so I got a double whammy on the horse gene. They learned about Jehovah and instilled this love in us. Her favorite scripture was Matt 6:33. She always said, “put Jehovah first and see what surprise falls from the sky!”
My mom loved to giggle, and we had to pull the car over more than once to get it together. My mom’s faith kept her happy and peaceful even in her last days. I was so privileged to have her as my mom. I know Jehovah misses her too and looks forward to resurrecting her soon.

Dale (Robin’s husband)
I appreciated Dana’s insight on the scriptures and comments at meetings, they were always so thought provoking. 

It was also amazing how she cared for Keith with quiet dignity and grace when his dementia got bad. He was still serving as an elder and I recall she once told me, “if you don’t mention the elder’s meetings to him, he won’t know the difference”.

So even though Robin and I were with them all the time, I didn’t even realize how bad it was. I respected her deeply for how she cared for him. I respected her even more for how she faced death. She made everything so much easier for the family.

Jim Turner (son)
My mom once told me, “I like having less things. It makes it easier for me to stay loyal to Jehovah”. And she was extremely loyal, and an integrity keeper. That’s how she lived her life.

Lacy (Jim’s wife)
“She always took an interest in the children. She always treated them as equals and appreciated their talents and intelligence. She enjoyed including them in any conversation. She always asked them what their spiritual goals were. She will be missed.

Spring Dunn (granddaughter)
My grandma was one of my best friends. We never saw eye to eye and that’s why we got along so well. She instilled in me a deep love for books and reading. She taught me how important it was to study not just the surface but the deeper things of the Bible. I can only dream of being as good of a student as she was. I cannot wait until I see her again, wild and free, in some valley with her pure-bred horses.

Karah Heidlage (granddaughter)
The primary thing that sticks out in my mind is that grandma made me feel understood. When she didn’t - I knew she would be ready with an arsenal of questions to figure it out.

My best memories were during the years I would take her to Kailene’s English riding lessons. She treasured that time. Our drives were full of lively conversation. She would pile into the front seat of my car, readying herself for the weekly update on what was going on in my life. It was a space to speak freely and I knew she enjoyed having a hand in helping me work through different life decisions during that time.

She was not the “bake cookies with you” kind of Grandma. She was a make you “question your own questions” kind of Grandma. She was an eager student of life, but I think the greatest thing I learned from her was - above all else Jehovah comes first!

I never knew until her last days that we shared the same favorite scripture. Mathew 6:33. I asked why it was her favorite. We both agreed this scripture made the most practical sense for use in everyday life.

Spending time with her during her final weeks was a very precious gift from Jehovah. It really helped me to strengthen my own resolve in standing firm, with my eyes fixed squarely on the things ahead.

Summer Bishop (granddaughter)
I keep thinking she used to slip me herbs and supplements instead of cookies! No knitting or sewing for her!

Hailey (granddaughter)
She loved Jehovah. She loved her family. She loved all animals including horses.
In the paradise she'll give her whole family a great big hug.

Kai Heidlage (great granddaughter)
Some of my earliest memories are of Grandma Dana, Grandpa Keith, and Grammy all together admiring Jehovah’s creation. We were often around horses. We also went to the zoo together and discussed how beautiful the animals were. I miss going out in service and to the library with Grandma Dana. She was a woman of such strength, zeal, and intelligence. I can’t wait until the paradise when we can see her and my Grandpa Keith, riding on horseback, hand in hand.

Cyrus Dunn (great grandson)
Some of my fondest memories was going with Grandma Dana in service every Wednesday. We went to all the libraries and bookstores. She preached to everyone and instilled in me my love of reading. It was very special to be able to be part of 4 generations of family out in service together and serving Jehovah.

Titus Dunn (great grandson)
I loved great Grandma Dana very much. She loved animals just like me. She taught me a lot of things about nature and I loved her stories. I cannot wait until paradise when we get to go on nature walks and bird watching together, and she can teach me more and more about all the different kinds of animals.

Sue Nicholson (best friend)
A brother once said in a talk “look for the gems in your congregation”, and I never forgot that because I found one, and that gem of a person was Dana. Unassuming, loyal, a peacemaker, a true lover of her God, Jehovah.

Her many silent qualities displayed themselves the more time I spent in her presence doing ordinary things together. She was a true woman of substance.

Dana was truly humble, always trying to apply God’s principles, to correct whatever she could. She had a way of knowing when something was wrong and she would give completely of herself to help you sort it out, sharing her wisdom and life’s lessons, without judgment or bias.

I loved that she had no expectations or demands, and if you were late, or didn’t show up at all, she never had a negative thing to say, she just “knew” there was a good reason.

Her courage and calm as she was dying was impressive. Dana spoke openly of dying yet equally of how Jehovah’s spirit was giving her a peace she had not experienced before. She moved thoughtfully through life, a true friend, mother, sister, wife, an honorable worshiper of Jehovah. She will be missed, hopefully only for a moment. I thank Jehovah for her friendship, she was a true gem.

Connie Kistela (good friend and service partner)
Dana was my Jonathan Friend! Despite our age difference we always enjoyed our time together talking on all subjects! She really liked being kept up to date on the congregation she loved, organizational updates and world news. Just a week before she died she asked me to fill her in on the latest. She was a mentor to me and helped me through hard times. I’ll miss her, she was my heart friend.

From a very close friend (Rancho Carlsbad)
Dana was our Anna – never missing at the meetings. Even if after attending meeting she might be sick for two or three days afterward because of her sensitivities, she still wanted and needed to be with the friends. When she finally had to stop coming to mid-week meeting she would still regularly call in.

She was always concerned about me. I have a malady that affects me from time to time and she told me she prayed for me every day! I miss knowing those prayers have temporarily stopped in my behalf.

In the last month of her life, she would say “I’m not saying goodbye, I’m saying goodbye for now.” She had a steadfast hope in the resurrection. But she was saying “not only do I believe I will be resurrected but I have confidence that you will be there to greet me.” That will certainly be a very happy day for all of us!

Jim Helling (friend)
Spending time with Dana was always an insightful experience. She was whip smart, intuitive and consistently gracious in her praise of others.

One of my last phone calls with her was like so many others when she would invariably ask... "Tell me something interesting". I said, “Well...both the Dodgers and the Lakers just won world championships...and that hasn't happened in over 30 years." There was a pause...then she continued, "I guess you didn't understand the question...I said INTERESTING".

She had a great, but subtle, sense of humor and would discuss her "Walton's Mountain" upbringing and the Biblical truths that held her interest throughout her life. She was truly a unique person and will be sadly missed.

Jennifer Deskin (friend)
I felt Dana and I were kindred spirits. Next time I see her, I will be waiting with 2 horses and we are going to take a long camping trip together. The best memory I have is when we were treating a horse’s abscess with the vet. Her job was to stay at the horse’s head and keep it from falling asleep and going down. While the vet and I were inspecting the wound, every once in a while, we would hear a THWAP! It was Dana smacking the horse on the nose to keep it awake. She loved horses, but always did what was right for them.

Linda Peterson (friend)
When she talked with you, it was like you were the only person in the room. It made you feel very special.

Jonnie Lampro (friend)
I loved my conversations with Dana. She was intelligent, insightful, caring, and kind. She made me feel cared about and let me know that she was happy that I am Robins friend. She was a special, dear sister who loved Jehovah with all of her heart. I look forward to riding horses with her one day and getting to know her even better. 

Debbie Lundberg (therapist)
Dana is a wonderful matriarch of a terrific family. The measure of one’s success is in the love that surrounds them. Please tell your mom how much I love her and that she is one of the most fascinating women I have ever met. Her knowledge of horses and spirituality has been the topic of many conversations I will never forget. She is an impact player, and her wisdom will live on in all that she touched.