Date of Birth: November 13, 1954
Date of Death: November 17, 2018
Donna Marie Sulz (nee Prior), age 64, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018.
Donna was born in Summerland, B.C. and grew up in New Westminster, B.C. She was the third child of George Wesley and Janet Marie Prior (nee Faasse) and enjoyed an adventure-filled childhood with her five siblings, although she often said the youngest, Patricia, was more like her baby than her sister.
Donna met her future husband, Wilf, when she was 16 years old at Charis Church Camp near Chilliwack, B.C. They formed a bond through their dedication to Jesus, who is the truth and the light. They had a long-distance courtship, during which Donna attended bible school at Aldersgate College in Moose Jaw, Sask., and Wilf studied at Hillcrest Bible College in Medicine Hat, Alta. They were married on May 18, 1974 at the Free Methodist Church in New Westminster, B.C. which she had attended throughout her childhood.
Following their marriage, Donna and Wilf dedicated their lives to serving the Lord and joined Wycliffe Bible Translators. They trained at a language school in Texas and took Jungle Camp in Mexico, where they remained on staff for a year. They were then posted to the mission in Yarinacocha, Peru. While preparing for the move to Peru they had their first child, Stephen.
In Yarinacocha, Donna worked as a bookkeeper and at the daycare centre. Their daughters, Elizabeth, Rachel and Esther, were born in Yarinacocha. After spending five years in the Peruvian jungle, the family moved back to Canada and settled in Whitewood, Sask., where she took to farm life, raising chickens, milking cows and gardening in an unexpectedly large garden.
Donna studied to become a general accountant as she raised her family of four. She worked with Wilf running their company, St. Luke Refrigeration & Appliance Repair and also worked as a bookkeeper at D.A. Miller & Son Equip. Ltd. She spent time every week volunteering at the Whitewood Evangelical Church as a pianist, Sunday School teacher and bookkeeper. In the late 1990s, she opened St. Luke Tax and Accounting, serving many in the Whitewood business community.
After working as a tax accountant, she retired and began exploring many hobbies including reading, outdoor cooking, and learning languages. Although she already spoke Spanish from her years with Wycliffe, Donna began to learn German and French.
After both Donna and Wilf had retired, they grew weary of the cold Saskatchewan winters and decided to move to Ashcroft, B.C., where she continued to develop her love of learning and volunteered at the Hat Creek Historic Site along with Wilf.
Donna dedicated her life to serving the Lord. In retirement she spent her mornings across the table from her husband, Wilf, studying the Bible and continually working toward a greater understanding of God. With her passing, we know she is now with the Lord, spending eternity in his love and light.
Donna will be forever remembered by her loving husband of 44 years, Wilfried Sulz; her four children, Stephen (Michelle) Sulz, Elizabeth (Corey) Herod, Rachel (Austin) McKay and Esther (Jesse) van Herk; four grandchildren, Revecca, Kassiopeia, Orion and Anevay; her siblings, Dwaine, Diane, Nancy, Dale and Patricia; and countless friends she has made along her journey.
A private service will be held at a later date with interment at Forest Farm Cemetery in the St. Luke District near Whitewood, Sask.
Donations in Donna’s memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or to your local library in honour of her love of reading.
