Donna Gail Banta Stout

 Donna Gail Banta Stout passed away peacefully at home on March 12, 2024.

 She was born in Hazelton, Idaho on Sept. 11, 1934. She was greeted by her parents, George Gail Banta and Irene May Hatch Banta, and two sisters Doreen and Carolyn. When she was 6 the family moved to Weiser, Idaho where her brother Gary was born.

 During her life she worked as a waitress, starting at Ferns Cafe and then the Greyhound Bus Depot. She also cooked at the Dairy Queen and cleaned houses and apartments.

 She spent 22 years working for the Idaho State Brand department. Upon retiring she received an award from the Idaho State Police for her service by then director Cornel E.D. Strickfaden. She also received a letter of Commendation from then Governor Dirk Kempthorne for her Distinguished Public Service.

 She finished her working career managing the Washington County Solid Waste Site for 20 years where she retired for the second time.

 During her off times she would travel. She took a tour of Mexico, went to Hawaii, Alaska and most of the lower 48 states. While in Alaska she saw her first whale. In California she went to the Monterey Aquarium, Santa Cruz board walk and the San Francisco Zoo. She loved going to Oregon and taking raft trips on the Rogue and Deschutes rivers. She was able to see the National Finals Rodeo a few times, Washington DC, the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore, and numerous other sites.

 When at home she spent much of her time working in her garden and playing with her mules and horses. She and her husband, Bob Stout, took many pack trips (mules and horses) to the Seven Devils, Selway/ Bitterroot, and Lochsa wilderness areas.

 She loved spending time with her family and friends, just visiting or playing games. She spent many hours playing Yatzee, UNO and putting puzzles together with the grandkids. She also had many intense pinochle games at our family gatherings.

 She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Stout; sisters, Carolyn Petty and Doreen Hofstetter; brother, Gary Banta; grandson, Randy Braden; and great-granddaughter Ashton Braden.

 She is survived by her sons, Jay Braden (Silvia DeLeon) and Alan Braden; daughter Sheri Braden (Jesse Valdez); grandchildren Tessa Braden Dentinger, Gail Braden, Jayme Braden, Nicolas Braden, Danny Braden, Trisha Braden Webb, and Jeromy Braden; and numerous great- and great-great-grandchildren.

 Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, March 21, 2024, under the cover at Hillcrest Cemetery.