Michael Francis Donaldson

Michael Francis Donaldson passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, August 6, 2017.

Mike was born on December 3, 1940 to Joe and Virginia Harned Donaldson in Caldwell, Idaho. He attended grade school at Maxson School and St. Patrick’s School in Walla Walla then graduated from Umapine High School. He attended college at Cal-Poly Tech.

Buying and trading horses and cattle was his livelihood and his passion. Mike always enjoyed a good dog, good horses, good cattle and good friends. He also loved big engines and fast cars. In his earlier years, he worked for C. Clyde Smith in Ontario, Oregon buying horses. He later worked for Vade Spencer in Lewiston, Idaho as a cattle order buyer. From 1972 to 1977 he owned and together with family operated a feedlot located on Cobb Road in Milton-Freewater, Oregon. Mike acquired Spencer Livestock Commission Company, Mountain States Cattle Company and Mountain States Transportation and operated the Lewiston, Idaho, based companies from 1973 to 1984. During the years from 1973 to 1978 Mike and his family ran yearling cattle in the Enterprise, Wallowa and Joseph, Oregon area. For many years his home was in Lewiston, Idaho where he also owned and operated a feedlot on Lindsay Creek. He retired and resided in Melba, Idaho for the past 5 years.

Mike is survived by his children Michele (Jim) Daniels of Irrigon, OR, Tim (Katherine) Donaldson of Walla Walla, WA, Miriam (Mark) Grant of Prescott, WA, Vade (Stephanie) Donaldson of Seattle, WA, Dan (Andrea) Donaldson of Littleton, CO, Virginia (Steve) Gordon King of Payette, ID, his sister Sarah Jane Smith of Melba, ID, brother Tom Donaldson of Long Beach, CA his former wives Margaret Buchan of Walla Walla, WA and Pam Arnzen Donaldson of Lewiston, ID, 17 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Joe and Virginia Donaldson, his sister Mary Donaldson Bruhjell, his brother Joe Donaldson, and his wife Mary Jane Hollandsworth Donaldson.

Viewing and Visitation will be held on Friday, August 18, 2017 from 11:00AM until after the Rosary at the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home.
Vigil Services with the recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at 6:00PM on Friday, August 18, 2017 at the Funeral Home with Dan Donaldson, officiating.
The Celebration of the Funeral Mass will be held at 9:00AM on Saturday, August 19, 2017 at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Milton-Freewater, OR with Father Charles Nnabuife, celebrating. Interment will follow at the Milton-Freewater Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made Signature Hospice or a charity of the donor’s choice through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder St., Walla Walla, WA 99362

Family and friends are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.net