Donna Mae Mason

Donna Mae Mason was born July 2, 1933. She passed away peacefully on Nov. 6, 2016. She was 83 years old and she would be the first to say her life had been a great ride.

She was born in Paul, ID, to Caroline Mary Spurgeon Riach and Alexander Riach. She had six brothers and sisters and loved to tell her children and grandchildren stories of how they would ride a horse to school in good weather and in a sleigh pulled by a horse in the winter. The school teacher cared for the horse while they were in class and her mother would warm a brick wrapped in towels for the sleigh ride and to keep them warm in bed at night.

Donna graduated from Hailey High School in 1951. She moved to Twin Falls and worked for Idaho State Health Department for two years thereafter. Little did she know she would sign the birth certificate of her future son-in-law Jim Childs while working there. "If I'd known that little crying squirt had been my son-in-law..." she'd trail off, laughing at the story for years to come.

She met her husband Dean Mason on a blind date. He started calling her "Red" - a nickname for her red hair. She said it was better than her childhood nickname "Turkey", given to her from her siblings who said when she'd get mad she would attack them like a turkey.

She married Dean on Aug 1, 1953, in Salt Lake City. They had four children, Pam, John, Shawna, and Kim. In 1969, they managed Continental Oil Service Station, from there Renter Center was born. While her children were still young, she lost her husband to a heart attack on December 14, 1975. She and her children kept Renter Center going and she was so proud of how responsible they were at such a young age. Her famous license plate "Ms. Rent" can be seen in the store to honor her legacy.

She had two great relationships after Dean's passing, including her second love, Ross Pennington, but she never remarried.

She enjoyed traveling the world with Ross and spoke fondly of a special trip to Scotland to see her father's homeland. She enjoyed fishing and taking trips with camping cousins — we're sure she's planning her next venture with Aunt Marie now -- and of course she loved playing cards with her Bridge ladies.

But most of all, she loved spending time with her family. Her children, grandchildren, and especially her great-granddaughter Aspen brought such joy to her heart. She loved seeing her "baby sister" every week for GG Night.

Donna loved life. She always said how blessed her life had been. In later years she could often be found enjoying a "toddy" with a friend, doing a crossword puzzle while she drank her morning coffee, and sipping wine on her patio while watching her hummingbirds and finches.

As age caught up with her, Donna often told people to take better care of themselves. She said Ross always told people to especially take care of their feet.

Donna struggled these past few months, but still looked forward to company and had her great sense of humor and beautiful smile. We are sad that she is gone, but grateful she is no longer struggling and passed away in peace.