Donald Leroy Quist was a man’s man. A Pearl Harbor Survivor, a welder, a teacher, a man who took responsibility seriously, a man of few words but of many talents. He was a man who took family seriously, even more serious was his role at the head of it. During his 60 year marriage to Dreene Mae Quist, he was a father to Steve, Suzanne and Joni. Through circumstance, he also became a father to Joni’s four daughters, Megan, Courtney, Katelyn and Paige. Donald became a man that was outnumbered by the women in his life. This brave, stoic man had to learn to get in touch with his feminine side, and just like every other challenge in his life, he rose to the occasion. When his other half, Dreene Mae, passed the day he fell ill almost three years ago, he graciously accepted to stick around and fight his ailing heart and lungs because he knew his girls needed him. He kept his word and made sure we were all okay before he finally left us to go home to Dreene.
On October 30, 2009, his battle with his failing health ended. After being at home and looked after by his daughter Joni, and granddaughters, Courtney and Katelyn, he was placed at Landmark Care Center for physical rehabilitation. His last couple months with us were some of his most joyous since Dreene’s passing. He was able to make friends in the ‘mess hall’, reminisce with other war veterans, and laugh at himself because he was ‘stuck with all the crazies’. The man that measured up to all of our hopes and dreams, may be gone from us physically, but he will always hold his rightful place as the head of our family, for he taught us all what it meant to be a true man among men, a hero when there are so few, and a father when others failed. Thank you Dad, for being my port in the storm, a place to rest my head. Thank you for being the fighter in my corner even when I didn’t know there was a fight. We love you Grandpa, forever and for always. Thank you for all that you were to all of us, for teaching us lessons that were not always easy to teach, for loving us no matter what, for encouraging us when we thought all was lost, for being there when we needed you. Thank you for always being our friend. You will forever be what we measure all others against, or as you would say; a real corker.
Donald was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Dreene Mae Quist, his son, Steven Quist and many of his brothers and sisters. Still though he is survived by his little sister, Arlyne, whom Donald carried all the way home from school when she fell and scraped her knee, and his little brother Stanley Quist who always was a great friend. He is also survived by his daugthers, Suzanne “Squeaky” Marmorat, Joni Crutcher, his youngest and most prized posession, and his four very grateful to have known him granddaugthers; Megan Lemley, who couldn’t have asked for anything more in a Grandpa, Courtney Crutcher, who truly was one of his best friends, Katelyn Crutcher, who “was a shining light” and by Paige Crutcher, who inherited his love for sunflowers, counts people in every room she walks into thanks to him, and was his partner in crime when sneaking doughnuts from the kitchen so Grandma wouldn‘t see. His first great granddaughter Grace Mckenzie Lemley, will forever remember her Greatpapa and singing to him “Twinkle Little Star” and Donald’s name will live on with his first great grandson Jack Quist Lemley, who will be reminded of the greatness he is from everyday.
See you soon, no more leaking. Six to one, and a half dozen to the other.
At Donald’s request, no services will be held. However, Don and Dreene will rest together at the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington where a proper military service will be held.
