Donna Zola Packer SwissJune 25, 1921 ~ August 8, 2013On August 8, 2013, Donna Zola Packer Swiss, our dear Mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and older sister of President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, completed her experience in mortality and returned to the eternal realms to join Dad. Mother was born in Corinne, UT on June 25, 1921, to Ira and Emma Packer. She was the 8th of 11 children. They soon moved to Brigham City, UT.During WWII Mother worked at Bushnell Hospital where she met Alfred Stanley Wisniewski Swiss. They were married Oct. 5, 1946. Her younger brother Boyd was the best man and later performed their sealing in the Logan LDS Temple in 1963, after Al became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their family lived in Seattle, WA until they moved to Eureka, CA in 1958. Mother lived there for the next 52 years. Donna was a consummate mother, homemaker, teacher, and was a key person for genealogy and family history. She loved to sing. Mother served in the LDS Church in every possible position. She was an avid scouter and received the first Silver Beaver Award given to a woman in the Redwood Area Council, BSA, in 1975. She served in scouting for over 55 years. Mom loved to serve people. She had an eye for people in need, especially young mothers who needed a helping hand learning to raise children and making a home. Greatest of all was her testimony of the Redeemer, Jesus Christ. She was an anchor to many, many people. She is survived by her children, Ralph and Tisha Swiss, Sandy, UT; Dale and Carolyn Swiss, Tucson, AZ; Gerald (Jerry) and Kathy Swiss, Orem, UT; Perry and Jeanette Chapman, Yorba Linda, CA; brother, Boyd K. and Donna S. Packer, Salt Lake City, UT; and Sisters in law Lou Jean S. Packer, Farmington, UT and Beverly C. Packer, Brigham City, UT. Also Bob and Carole Melanson and family of Alpine, UT, who have been "adopted" family members for 40 years. 23 Grand children and 48 great grand children.Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 27, 2013, at noon, at the Sandy UT Canyon View LDS Stake Center, 9119 S. 1300 E. Sandy, UT 84093. A viewing will be held prior to the service beginning at 10 AM and Monday, August 26, 2013, from 6:00 PM to 8 PM, at the same location. Interment will be at the Brigham City, UT Cemetery, following the funeral services. An extended obituary is on-line at mcdougalfuneralhomes.com, where condolences can be made.
