Donna Jean Hampton

Donna Jean Hampton, 89, passed away at her home at Hearthstone Senior Living in Ellensburg on Friday, September 5, 2025. Her funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, September 22 in the Evenson Memorial Chapel at Johnston & Williams in Ellensburg, with viewing beginning at 10:00 a.m. that day until the service begins. Her graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 26 at the Bigfork Community Cemetery in Bigfork, Montana.

This July and August she thoroughly enjoyed celebrations of her 71st anniversary to Karl Hampton and her 89th birthday.

Donna was born in Seattle, Washington, the second of six children born to Robert Vern Underhill and Amy Roberta “Bobbi” Railsback. She spent her childhood in Seattle and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1954. She surrendered her life to God at age 14 while attending the Greenlake Seventh Day Adventist Church in Seattle. For the past several years, she was a member of the United Church of God.

Donna met the love of her life, Karl Hampton, while she was still in high school and he was enrolled in dental school at the University of Washington. Karl first noticed her at a church choir practice when she was 16. He described her in his memoirs as “amazingly pretty, with a fresh countenance and sparkling eyes. She was alert and fun, responsive and thoughtful.” Two years later, in 1954, they were married. Karl and Donna celebrated 71 years of marriage in July 2025. During their life together they lived in Washington, Montana, Texas and Germany. They traveled in Europe and Israel and throughout the U.S. They both became fluent in the German language while living in Germany as a U.S. Army family.

Donna worked for many years as an Administrative Assistant. Her favorite position was as the Assistant to the Dean and the professors in the Nursing School at Seattle Pacific University.

Donna lived her life as a woman of God, a continual learner, and a prayer warrior for her family and her sister Lee’s family. Her younger sister Lee remembers her as a protector, a good listener, a source of unconditional love, and a Bible study partner when Lee was a young mom. Donna inspired Lee to always press into God. Donna had a beautiful soprano voice and enjoyed many years of singing in church and community choirs and performing solos. She loved music and was a huge fan of Elvis Presley. Her favorite Elvis song was “Love me Tender” which she sang to Karl as they danced to this song at their wedding. She was an avid Seahawks fan and always wore her team jersey while watching and cheering her team on TV.

Donna will be remembered for her beautiful smile and sparkling eyes, singing, bread making, crocheted afghans, love of warm hugs, and administrative skills in writing and editing documents. She assisted her husband Karl in editing and publishing his many videos as a videographer for family events, weddings and business events. She helped Karl publish his memoirs for family and for the Wenatchee World Newspaper.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents Robert & Bobbi Underhill; her brothers Roy, Jim and Michael; her sister Janet; her son Karl Andrew “Drew” Hampton III; and her granddaughter Jennifer Zuelzke.

Donna is survived by her husband Karl Hampton (age 96); her daughters Nancy Corbett (Roc), Barbara Zuelzke (Jim), and Lydia Keffer (John); her son John Hampton (Joanne Chambers), 11 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren; her sister Linda Lee Butler (Bill); and many, many nieces, nephews and friends.

Cards or letters of sympathy may be sent to the family in the care of Johnston & Williams Funeral Home, 301 E. Third Avenue, Ellensburg, WA 98926

Arrangements have been jointly entrusted to Johnston & Williams of Ellensburg and Darlington Cremation and Burial of Kalispell, Montana. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.johnston-williams.com