Ladonna Louise Doane

        Ladonna Louise Pace Doane, 78, of Nampa Idaho was born December 4, 1942 in Florence, Arizona. She went to be in the arms of Jesus on February 5th, 2021. She was a dearly beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister aunt and friend. She died peacefully in the home of her grandson, who graciously allowed her to stay until her death following an extended illness.

         Ladonna was the first of four daughters, born to Harold and Phyllis Pace. The family attended LaPalma and Coolidge Church of the Nazarene in Arizona. Her father was the foreman on a cotton field and lived in a home onsite. The girls had many adventures there!

        Ladonnna was very musically talented. She sang, played the piano, organ, trumpet, french horn, accordion and drums. She also excelled in academics.

        Ladonna suffered from asthma, so In her junior year of high school, because of her health, her parents sent her to live with her maternal Grandparents in Pasadena, California to finish out her schooling at Pasadena Academy. Unknown to her, God was preparing her for a life of service as a minister’s wife.

      In 1962, the family moved to Nampa, Idaho To give their girls the opportunity to meet and marry christian men.

      Having already graduated, Ladonna went to work for Samaritan Hospital in admissions. Later she was hired by Gerald Wesche to work for his family practice.

      The Paces attended North Nampa Church of the Nazarene where there was a large and active youth group. It didn’t take long for Ray to notice Ladonna. They first met when Ray was being loud and obnoxious in church service while sitting behind her, to which she turned around and responded, “Shut up and grow up!” With Ray’s persistence, she finally agreed to date him. It wasn’t long before wedding bells were ringing, and they were married July 24th, 1964.

       One of the things that Ray loved most about Ladonna was her ability to prank just as well as him. For instance, if someone was on their honeymoon, Ladonna would go to their house, put cornflakes in the bed, short sheet, tie bells underneath the bed, and put honey between the plates!

        While Ray studied for the ministry, Ladonna worked as well to help put him through school. Their first Christmas together, when money was tight, Ladonna decorated empty paper towel and toilet paper rolls and wrapped them for her family as gifts! “Rooter tooters” were the beginning of her creative and crafty side.

        In March 1966, her son Dion was born. Dion was her everything until the day she died. She was his biggest fan, support, protector and friend. She loved him with every breath she took.

      When Ray started seminary, they moved to Kansas City and Ladonna worked for an insurance company while Ray attended school. Once he graduated, they were called to Monterey Park California Nazarene Church, where Darla was born on their first Sunday.

       She served as “ministers wife” in MIssouri, Arizona, California and Idaho, for over 40 years, until they decided to retire and move back home to Idaho to be closer to family. Ladonna was an intricate part of everything Ray accomplished. If he needed her help, she was there making it happen.

        Ladonna could do anything she was required to do! She played piano and organ for services, she taught sunday school and children's church, she lead bible studies, she directed children’s productions, and Easter productions, she directed choirs, She organized and was the designated speaker at many retreats and conventions, she was in charge of craft bazaars, womens night out, and even filled in as Ray’s secretary, but what she enjoyed the very most was entertaining and loving the church congregation.

        The most enjoyable event she put together was her Annual Christmas Open House! The family would clean for weeks and many friends helped, and she would decorate and make homemade hors d'oeuvres and desserts and then She invited the entire congregation to her home to show her love and appreciation to the church body. She lived a life of service and faithfulness to her Father in Heaven and she never waivered.            She had the gift of hospitality. She was Ray’s biggest support and she faithfully stood beside him for 46 years and was his best friend.

Ladonna’s family was her pride and joy! She was truly an amazing mother. Always on their side, always supporting them, defending them and protecting them through every step of their lives. Many times when her children came home late, they would walk in the door, and see her kneeling at the piano bench praying for the safety of her children.

          And oh how she loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren! They filled her with so much joy! She loved talking to them, playing with them, buying gifts for them, spending time with them, even just for a quick soda. She prayed with them, for them and over them. She taught and modeled how to have a relationship with Jesus Christ, and constantly prayed for their safety and their salvation!

          Ladonna was a classy, strong-willed, stubborn woman with an amazing sense of humor. She was talented, intelligent, opinionated and fussy! She was never scared to die because she had absolutely no doubt she was going to Heaven to be with her Creator.

          Ladonna was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Ray L. Doane, of Nampa, her parents, Harold and Phyllis Pace of Nampa, her sister Lenore Sullivan, of Gig Harbor Washington, and her great granddaughter Ellie RayLene Tallent, of Nampa. She is survived by her sisters Lavaughn(Jim) Pfost of Nampa, Laverne Bufford of Nampa, and her sister in law Eva Halter, her Son Dion(Monica) Doane, of Rock Springs Wyoming, her daughter Darla (Marvin) Curtis, of Council, Idaho. Her grandchildren Cherish Goodyear, Jessica Curtis, Jarod (Katelyn) Curtis, Jessica (Shayne) Tallent, Jocelyn (Michael) Land, Justin Curtis and Julianna Curtis. Her great-grandchildren Kaylee Goodyear, Trinity Tallent, Davian Bailey, Sloan Curtis, as well as numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. 

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