Donna Rasmussen May, 81 passed on November 30, 2024, at Providence Medford Medical Center in Medford, Oregon.
She was born Donna May Fosgate in Waupaca, Wisconsin to Donald Clark and Ella Christine (Rasmussen) Fosgate on May 28, 1943.
The family moved west in 1948 where they lived in Tucson, Ariz., then moved to Oregon where the family resided in Empire, The Dalles, and Roseburg. Her parents divorced and she and her mother moved to Ardmore, OK and then to Salem, OR and eventually to Medford in 1951.
Education: She attended Medford public schools until her graduation in 1961. Donna attended Southern Oregon College and received a B.A. in education in 1965. She taught at Griffin Creek, Jackson and Ruch elementary schools and received an M.A. in education from Southern Oregon State College.
Donna married Thomas L. Wooton in 1972 and resigned from teaching to raise their four children. They divorced after 20 years and Donna went on to receive a B.A. in journalism from Southern Oregon University. She was employed by the Ashland Daily Tidings and later by the Mail Tribune until her retirement.
While raising her children, she was a volunteer in Medford Schools for each of her children every year until they were in junior high. She was a Cub Scout Den leader and Girl Scout leader. She taught Sunday school at Zion Lutheran Church in Medford where she was a member since childhood. She loved to fish and attend to her backyard plants. She loved her country and worried about its future.
She said, “I owe this wonderful life to God, my family and my country.”
She was such a wonderful person – so kind, thoughtful, smart, loyal, determined, brave, hilarious. She really did light up the room. She was completely devoted to her children and grandchildren and will forever be extremely missed and loved. Thank you for being you and for all the beautiful memories that we will always hold dear and never forget. Love you bunches and bunches mama!
Her parents preceded her in death.
She is survived by sons Jeremey T. Wooton (Rebecca) of Phoenix, OR, Matthew T. Wooton of White City, OR, Benjamin T. Wooton (Erika) of Aurora, MO, daughter Daisy C.A. Wooton (Jacob) of Medford, OR, three grandchildren and sister Carolyn Milana.
A funeral and interment was at Perl Funeral Home and Siskiyou Memorial Park, Medford, OR.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Vincent De Paul, The Salvation Army or the Holly Theater Restoration in Medford, OR.
