Donna Arlene Aastrom

Donna Arlene Aastrom, age 76, of Long Beach, Wash., died Thursday, Aug. 5, 2010, at St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland, from complications following surgery, surrounded by her husband and seven children.

She was born April 30, 1934, in Fairview, Mont., to Fred and Deva Allen.

She graduated from Fairview High School and Billings Business College in Billings, Mont.

On Feb. 27, 1954, she married Charles Aastrom. He survives, residing in Long Beach.

Mrs. Aastrom worked for Winter Hardware in Billings until the couple's first daughter was born. She was primarily a homemaker. The couple made several work-related moves, beginning in 1965, to Vancouver, Wash., Salt Lake City, Utah, San Bernardino, Calif., Yuma Ariz., Poway, Calif., and returned to Vancouver, Wash., in 1989. When her husband retired, they moved to Long Beach.

Family members said she loved her flower garden and had a talent for creating lush greenery with her surroundings. She had compassion for her pets and wildlife and donated to many animal causes. She adored traveling to visit her family, as well as exploring the coastal areas of Oregon and Washington. She enjoyed cooking and baking for her family.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by four daughters, Teresa Freeman of Colerain, N.C., Susan Dougherty of Morgan, Utah, Karin Osterberg of Escondido, Calif., and Ramona Moore of Battle Ground, Wash.; three sons, Carl Aastrom of Belgrade, Mont., Allen Aastrom of Squaw Valley, Calif., and Michael Aastrom of Kalispell, Mont.; a sister, Oriana Arneson of Dallas, Ore.; two brothers, Fred Allen of Corvallis and Jim Allen of Shelby, Mont.; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by four brothers.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be given to a local humane society or a charity of one's choice, in care of Caldwell's Luce-Layton Mortuary, 1165 Franklin Ave., Astoria, OR 97103.