Obituary of Donna Jean Fegert

DOB 01/10/1938 DOD 03/25/2026 Written and provided by family. Donna Jean Fegert (née Schempp), a longtime resident of Othello, Washington, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at Trios Hospital in Kennewick, Washington. She was 88 years old. She was surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Donna was born on January 10, 1938, in Quincy, Washington, to Edmund and Elizabeth Schempp. She was one of seven children: Otha, Loraine, Gerald, Lucille, Esther, Glenn, and Donna. Being 12 years younger than her closest sibling, she was often lovingly referred to as “Baby Donna,” a nickname that stayed with her throughout her life. Donna’s maternal grandparents immigrated from the autonomous German Volga River Settlement in Russia to the United States in 1901. In 1906, they moved to the Quincy area to homestead. After the untimely passing of Donna’s grandfather, her parents purchased the family farm from her grandmother around 1917. Donna was raised on that same farm, where she helped during harvest by driving wheat truck for her brothers, Loraine and Glenn. She was known for having a lead foot. Donna attended school in Quincy and, after high school, married the love of her life, Buz (Richard) Fegert. Together they enjoyed fishing, camping, and spending their lives side by side. After Buz passed away, Donna missed him more than words could express. Through her sorrow, she found strength and renewed purpose in the love of her children and grandchildren. Donna loved caring for her home and family. She took pride in mowing her yard, planting flowers, tending a beautiful garden, keeping an immaculate house, and canning food for those she loved. She is survived by her daughter, Debbie Doebler (John), and her son, Gary Fegert (Sharon); seven grandchildren: Ryan Doebler, Travis Doebler, Garrett Doebler, Elizabeth Guse, Cheyenne Duke, Hannah Peone, and Tyler Fegert; and nine great-grandchildren: Kaiden, Riley, Wesley, Quincy, Reese, Jorgia, Wyatt, Claire, and Jack, with two more great-grandchildren on the way. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Buz, and all of her siblings. Debbie and Gary would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the staff and caregivers at Coventry House, as well as the many kind people who visited Donna over the last several years. Your compassion and care helped keep her as comfortable as possible through her physical difficulties. Donna had nicknames for almost everyone at Coventry. Though she longed to be in the home she loved and cared for so faithfully, her paralysis made that impossible. She remained strong and rarely complained despite her many challenges, but in the end, she was tired. A Celebration of Life and Memorial Service for Donna will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the Presbyterian Church in Othello, Washington, with a luncheon to follow.