Donna Raymond Parkinson Cherry, 92, of Ashton, died Saturday, February 23, 2013 at the Ashton Living Center from natural causes. She was born February 15, 1921 in Rexburg, Idaho, to Mary Yvette Raymond and Fred Doney Parkinson. She was the second of six children. She attended schools in Rexburg and graduated from Madison High School in 1940. She grew up on the family farm in Newdale, Idaho where she helped with all the work along side her mother and five brothers.

She married LaVar Allen Cherry on August 14th, 1941 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. To this union was born five children – two sons and three daughters. In 1947, they purchased a farm at Warm River at what is now known as Cherry's Butte. They raised potatoes, grain and hay and later added a band of sheep. From 1947 until 1959 they lived on the farm at Warm River in the summer and moved back to Rexburg for the winters. In 1959 they purchased a home, built by LaVar in 1954, on Highway 20 south of Ashton.

Donna worked with her husband on the farm and with the sheep. She cooked many meals for farm hands and sheep shearers throughout the years and was a very good cook and hard worker. She kept books for the farming operation and LaVar's construction business. She also worked for many years in local potato warehouses.

Donna was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She served in many church callings, including Primary and Relief Society, with many of her dearest and lifelong friends.

She is survived by a daughter-in-law, Sonja Cherry of Ashton; children Carole (Kay) Biorn of St. Anthony and Allyn (Clair) Allison, Layle (J'lene) Cherry and Suzette (James) Bollinger all of Ashton; 21 grandchildren and 50 great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Fred (Nola) Parkinson of Silverton, Oregon and Layle (Marlene) Parkinson of Sacramento, California. Donna was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 60 years; a son, Paul; and three brothers, DeVere, Reid and Vaness Parkinson.

Funeral services will be held at the Tri-Ward LDS Church in Ashton, north of Pineview Cemetery on Wednesday, February 27th at 11:00 a.m. The family will meet with friends and family Tuesday evening from 6:30 pm until 8:00 pm at the church and again Wednesday prior to the service from 10:00 am until 10:45 am. Interment will be in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton under the direction of Baxter Funeral Home.