Donna Marie Detimore

On Sunday February 11th, 2024, Donna Marie Gabriel Detimore passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 97. Although her Family & friends will mourn her death, Donna had a fantastic life filled with love and laughter. She was born and raised on a farm in Nebraska where she learned to cook for her brothers and sisters. She & her family moved to Shelby in the 5th grade where in high school she excelled in track, broad jumping & hi jumping, achieving blue ribbons along the way. She led the band as a drum majorette and cheerleader. She graduated from high school and went on to beauty school. She went on to own her own beauty shop in Nebraska. She met Richard at one of the many dances in Nebraska and they married on June 2, 1947. They moved to California in the 50's and Donna continued to work in the beauty profession. After Richard started work in the banking industry they moved to Fresno where Donna went to work for Marion's Beauty Salon. She became lifelong friends with the owners, Augie & Marion where she would work with the exception of a few years while her children were too young for school for almost 40 years. She loved doing hair and her customers loved her. Donna loved to have fun. In her younger years, she snow skied and water skied near the cabin at Shaver Lake. Dick who never learned how to swim was always at the controls of the boat teaching everyone else how to ski! Many nights were spent playing cards and dice games. She loved to dance, be it to a country western song or a polka, they kept in perfect rhythm. She also loved her Nebraska Cornhuskers and cheered on her team every game. She played golf although she herself said "not very well" and was a great bridge player. At one time, she was in 5 different bridge groups. Donna & Dick spent time in their 5th wheel trailer at the coast with the close knit "bank group" of friends for many years eating great food, drinking fine cocktails and telling many tall tales. Donna always had her hi-ball with Kessler whiskey. As a family of 4 starting out in a little trailer hardly big enough to turn around in, they traveled the country. As the trailers increased in size so did the distance of the trips. They traded in the 2 children for 2 Grandchildren as traveling companions and made many new memories. They traveled all over the United States from coast to coast and Canada with family and friends and enjoyed every mile. Donna is survived by her children; Patty (Bob) Shandra & Michael J Detimore, her Grandchildren, Laura (Jake) Johnson, Anthony AJ (Shaylyn) Shandra, Michael RC & Matthew Detimore and Great-Grandchildren Alana & Scarlett Shandra. One sister Margaret Mazzarella of Los Angeles and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Richard RJ(Dick) Detimore. Donna was a member of Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Visalia. There will be a private burial at San Joaquin National Cemetery at a future date. Rosary will be held 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM Saturday, February 24th, 2024 at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel, 127 E. Caldwell Ave., Visalia. Homily of Prayers services will follow at 1:30 PM. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Donna Marie Detimore

December 11, 1926 - February 11, 2024