Donna LaRue Miles Evans

Our sweet Mother & Grandmother, Donna LaRue Miles Evans returned to her home in Heaven on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 surrounded by her loved ones. Oh how we already miss her presence and how she made you feel so loved and special. “Hello dear,” “how are you dear,” “sure appreciate you,” “sure love you,” were all familiar sayings she said to us each time we saw her. She loved with all her heart.

We can only imagine the sweet reunion taking place, Grandma had missed Grandpa for 10 years. We think she might have even cussed him for taking so long to come get her…and we think he probably cussed her for shaving his mustache after he died! We are all so thankful to be a part of their beautiful love story that started at school in Altamont, UT. Grandpa would tease Grandma and pull her ponytails. Later, when they were in band together, Grandpa would sit behind her, he played the trombone and would put the sliding grease on Grandma's saxophone reed when she rested it on her shoulder. She thought he was quite a nuisance. When they started dating, Donna's dad said he could always tell when Wendall was coming because he would make a trail of dust from driving too fast, her dad would stand on the fencepost to see if “that Evans boy” made the turn! While Grandpa was stationed in Japan he mailed an engagement ring to his mother Elzada and asked her to please take it to Donna. She said yes and Wendall and Donna were married May 1,1953 in the Salt Lake Temple. To their sweet union they added 6 children, Denise, Russell, Linda, Miles, Merilyn & Dean. Their legacy now includes 29 grandchildren, 69 great grandchildren and 12 great-great grandchildren. Grandma's greatest joy was her family. She often said, “Family is everything! What would you do without family!” Grandma & Grandpa supported us in everything we did from baptisms, Junior Prom, Weddings, doctor appointments, games, piano & dance recitals…you name it, they were there to support us!

Grandma and Grandpa graduated from BYU together in 1961 with their teaching degrees. We don’t know if this is where they learned Pig Latin, but they were both fluent in it! Grandma taught 3rd grade in Coalville for a short time before staying home to raise her family. After Merilyn and Dean were in High School, Grandma worked at the Post Office in Coalville for 13 years. She enjoyed this job and seeing everyone each day.

Grandma loved to play the piano and to sing, her and grandpa sang often next to the piano or on a car ride. Let Me Call You Sweetheart, You Are My Sunshine, Have I Told You Lately That I Love You, were some of their favorites. She loved music almost as much as she loved chocolate…almost! Grandma had such a sweet tooth. Many times when we’d go out to eat, Grandma would order dessert instead of food or a root beer float and onion rings. She never ever tired of sweets!

Grandma loved to play games and was very competitive. Most of our visits we played a game of PIT or spoons. If you knew grandma well, chances are you were inducted into her Ooga Booga club, Boots without spurs or measured for a casket. If you weren’t inducted into her club, it’s not too late, we can still initiate you! For the little ones, Grandma would hide something and sing Boola boola, louder when you got close and softer when you got further away. This was also her lullaby song when she’d rock babies…and if someone was being loud or into something they weren’t supposed to be in, she would change the 1 word lyric to whatever she needed to say! She had legs of steel and won many leg wrestling competitions in her younger years, but even a week ago, just shy of her 94th birthday, she was STILL bouncing kids on her foot!

Named after her daddy, Donna LaRue was born to Rue & Anona Miles on February 4, 1932. Donna had an older sister Betty and was followed by her sisters Maurine, Carolyn & little brother Lloyd. Grandma always had a close relationship with each of her siblings and loved them dearly. Grandma always talked fondly of her childhood. She always told us how lucky she was to be born to such loving parents who doted on them. She got to grow up surrounded by both sets of her grandparents and aunts, uncles and cousins. Grandma had to have glasses from the time she was 3 years old, they were precious to her and she was so careful with them and treated them so. Grandma took very good care of all of her things like this. Grandma would tell us of riding with the postman to piano lessons and the bus driver stopping, letting the kids out that were fighting and having all the kids gather around to watch them fight. She told us how her dad would hook up his team of horses to the sled so they could go to church in the winter. They would pick up her grandparents on the way. Her parents had one of the first cars in the Basin and grandma thought it was so fun they got to have Sunday School in it.

Grandma's relationship with her Savior was very important to her. She lived it everyday and was always Christlike in everything she did. Grandma's church was close to her home, so we always got to walk with her to church. Grandma made church fun and had tricks to try and keep us reverent. Grandma always had a little wire pick for her hair, she would weave it in and out of our dress, trace our hand on paper and add rings and fingernails to it & fold her handkerchief to make 2 little babies in a cradle for us to play with. She always pointed to each word as we sang the hymns with her. She also cuddled really close to you, no matter where we sat. Grandma and Grandpa served missions to Adelaide, Australia, San Diego, CA & in the Church Office Building, Salt Lake City, UT. Grandma served in many callings and magnified each one. We are thankful for her example of endless service and compassion for others.

There is no doubt Grandma is rejoicing in getting to see her loved ones again. She has missed them fiercely. Grandma was preceded in death by her husband Wendall, her son Russell, her daughter Merilyn, her grandchildren Matt & Kevin and her great-great grandson Ross. Her sisters Maurine, Betty and baby brother John. Donna is survived by her children, Denise (Gib) Yardley, Donna Evans, Linda (Bill) Wilde, Miles (Connie) Evans, Dean (Joy) Evans. Sister Carolyn Christensen, her brother, Lloyd (Nancy) Miles, and brother in law, Max Anderson.

Grandma, we love you! We hope we feel you close throughout our lives. We aren’t ready to live in this world without you. It just doesn't feel the same. We will do our best to honor you by being kind, always looking for the best in others and keeping a positive outlook. You were so much sweeter than your sweet tooth! We will miss the twinkle in your eyes, your quick wit and fun sense of humor & adventure! You were always full of spunk! As you always signed our birthday cards, “Loved you yesterday, Love you still, Always have, Always will!”

Funeral Services will be held Saturday February 7, 2026 at the Hoytsville Church. Viewing on Friday from 5-7 p.m. and Saturday 9:00-10:30 a.m. All services will be held at Hoytsville UT LDS Church, 1095 S Hoytsville Rd, Hwy 189

Interment: Boneta, Utah. February 7, 2026