Donna Kleis

Long time Prosser resident, Donna Marie Kleis was born 12/31/44 in Eau Clair, WI and passed away peacefully in her recliner on 9/9/2026 in Kennewick WA.

She was the daughter of Robert E. and Bessie (Hoover) Norrish. She was the last baby born in Luther Hospital in Eau Claire, WI on December 31st in 1944. She was the youngest in her family, having an older brother Ralph (Gretchen), Portland, OR and an older sister Joanne (John) Rohrscheib, Eau Claire, WI.

Donna was raised in Rock Falls, WI and went to High School in Eau Claire, graduating in 1963. After high school, Donna entered nursing school in St. Paul, MI, earning an LPN degree. This is also when she met her future husband, David J. Kleis, through a patient.

David and Donna married in 1966, living and raising two sons, David and Douglas in Minnesota, until 1972 when they moved to their farm in Prosser, Washington. This is where their two daughters Deborah and Dawn were born.

Donna was a mother and homemaker. She also worked as an LPN at the Prosser Nursing Home and then as an LPN for Prosser Home Health, until she retired to babysit Kaitlin and Kourtney which by far was her favorite job.

Donna was an active 4-H leader (Stitch n’ Stir) helping with sewing, baking, and preserving. Donna loved gardening and preserving food. She also loved sewing and had a vast fabric and pattern collection. In her later years, Donna enjoyed entering her quilts, handicrafts and preserved foods at the local fairs; winning several blue ribbons and rosettes. Donna also loved cats and would often tell stories of kitties she had.

Donna is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Bessie, her brother Ralph, sister-in-law Gretchen, her husband, David, daughter-in-law, Teresa (David) Kleis, and son-in-law Michael (Deborah) Hatley.

Donna is survived by her four children – David, Douglas, Deborah, and Dawn (Jordan) and her three granddaughters, who were truly the light of her life; Aletha (Alazone) Smith of Ashville, NC and Kaitlin and Kourtney Hatley of Benton City, WA, and multiple nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff at Tri-Cities Senior Living, Kennewick, for all the wonderful care Donna received while living there; and an extra special thanks to Kelly, Aimee, and Karan for filling Donna’s days with activities, joyrides, and conversations. The family would also like to thank Tri-Cities Chaplaincy for their role in caring for Donna.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Prevent Homeless Pets Spay and Neuter in Benton City, WA, Pet Over Population Prevention in Pasco, WA, or to your favorite local animal shelter.

Donna’s Memorial Service will be at Brookside Funeral Home in Prosser on Saturday, October 10, 2026 at 10:00am, followed by a Graveside Service at Prosser Cemetery. A Memorial Luncheon will be at the Prosser Community Center at 12:00pm.