Donna Bell

BELL, WATSON

Posted By: Skipton
Date: 2/8/2011 at 16:56:10

Source: The Columbus Gazette.

Donna Bell died January 19, 2011 in Sand Springs, Oklahoma. Donna was born in Cedar Falls, Iowa, on December 4, 1950. On June 10, 1972, “Donna May” married Russell Bell in the woods in Louisa County, Iowa. They met at the University of Northern Iowa.

Donna’s work life was intense and varied. She worked as a machinist for Rockwell International, and then moved to Melbourne, Australia, where she taught English. Returning to America, she worked as a buyer for a machine shop while helping her husband farm. Donna and Russell moved to Oklahoma where she worked for OU’s petroleum records department and later for the City of Norman. Moving to Sand Springs, she worked in several oil, pipeline and manufacturing companies in clerical and administrative positions. She worked last for Emoteq as a buyer.

Wherever this efficient and organized lady went, she was the person who knew everyone’s name and had genuine interest in their life and family. Befriending everyone, she was the go-to person for those she was with.

Donna and Russell lived a life valuing experiences and not things. They traveled through Australia, Asia, and Europe, as well as America, wandering until raising children focused them in Oklahoma. Living in the rural edges of Tulsa, Donna guided her boys in their activities from soccer to art to Boy Scouts. Education and experiences were paramount as she looked for more things to explore while wandering and camping in this state.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Pat Watson. She is survived by her husband of 38 years and sons, Erik and Matthew; and grandson, Jacob Bell. Surviving are her sisters, Elaine of New Jersey, Carolyn of Chicago, Glenda of South Carolina; and brother, Kevin of Chicago.

A memorial to celebrate this energized person will be held on Saturday, February 5th at 4 p.m. at the Keystone State Park Community Building.

For Donna’s Iowa friends and neighbors, a memorial will be held in June at the Grandview Cemetery.