On Friday, July 23, 2021, Donita Davis Polson, loving wife and mother, passed away from a year long battle of pancreatic cancer in Eagle, Idaho.

Donita was born in 1952 in Provo, Utah to Kathryn (Baird) and William Murdoch Davis. She attended BYU, receiving a degree in early childhood education in 1974. It was while at BYU that she met Rodney Polson. After Rod returned home from his mission, they reconnected and after dating for only 18 days, they got engaged and were married in August 1976 in the Provo, Utah temple. They raised their five children — Natalie, Jason, Jared, Ryan and Brandon – in Federal Way, Washington.

Donita will be remembered for her spirited personality and loving heart. She had a passion for quilting, cooking, family history, keeping and creating traditions.  Most of all, she will be remembered for being a selfless mother and grandmother. Nothing made her light up more than a grandchild walking through her door. Those who came to her home left with a full stomach, a piece of new wisdom and a heart full of love. She was an educator, never passing up a teaching moment, whether it was in her own classroom with her students or in her home with her own children and grandchildren. She had many friends and was a friend to all.

Even in the last year of her life while she was in pain, she managed to create many lasting memories for those around her. She made certain everyone knew of her love for each of them and always had a minute to bear her testimony or share a story. Every grandchild had one of Nana’s special handcrafted quilts. Donita finished the last one just a few weeks before her passing.

Donita loved Jesus Christ, living and teaching His gospel and serving in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in many callings throughout her life. She served in ward and stake callings, including positions in the Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society organizations. She was a good leader and was called as the president of each of those organizations at one point in time. She taught children to recognize promptings of the Holy Ghost, young women to recognize their value as daughters of a Heavenly Father who loved them, and adult women to love and be examples to all those within their influence. She was excellent at ministering to others, often showing up with a treat, a listening ear, or a scrub brush and bucket ready to be put to work.  She loved and was passionate about her time serving as an Ordinance Worker in the Seattle, Boise and Meridian Temples.  Many people were blessed by her thoughtful and kind heart. We will miss our mother, grandmother and friend but know we will be with her again.

She is survived by her husband Rodney Polson; her children Natalie Jensen (Brian), Jason (Lisa), Jared (Kimberli), Ryan (Beth), Brandon (Niccol); and her siblings Doyle Davis, Mary Jean Draper, Kathleen Gilchrist, Lyle Davis, and 13 grandchildren.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, August 1, 2021 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at Bowman Funeral Parlor located at 10254 W. Carlton Bay Garden City, Idaho.   A funeral service will be held on Monday, August 2, 2021 at 11:00 am, with a visitation one hour prior to the service at the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint located at 700 W. State Street Eagle, Idaho.  A committal service will follow the funeral at Dry Creek Cemetery.   There is also an opportunity to attend the funeral virtually by following this link https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi9Fij3N3RmpZJGJV8IsvCw .  Condolences my be left for the family at www.bowmanfuneral.com