DANA, Dora Irene

Published in the Arizona Republic from 7/1/2003 - 7/2/2003. Dora Irene Olson Dana, entered this world just 9 days after Valentines Day in 1915. It only seems appropriate that her favorite color was red and so much of her life was filled with love for her husband Joe and her children and grandchildren. She was born in Salt Lake City and moved to Phoenix at the age of 14. Dora attended Phoenix Union High School and Phoenix College. She was a dancer, a violin player, worked for the commanding officer at Luke Air Force Base during World War II, and along with Joe, served 4 missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Hawaii, Missouri, Washington D.C., and New York City. But her most important job and accomplishment was mother and teacher to her 7 children. She taught them how to cook, iron, clean, forgive, and to love. She taught them not to argue, how to do their best, how to serve a memorable Sunday dinner and keep the bathroom clean. She made Christmas and birthdays and vacations special and didn't gossip. There was no such thing as a casual dinner in Dora's house. Whether she prepared for hours, or we brought in fast food, her table was set with placemats, fine dinnerware and care. Her riches aren't in a jewelry case or bank. They are in picture albums, memories and in her heart. She loves candy, as long as it's chocolate, Mother's Day cards, as long as they are big, and all colors, as long as they are red. She is survived by her husband of 65 years Joe Robinson Dana, daughter Judy Rasmussen (Vaughn), daughter Carol Baugh (Glenn), son Kent Dana (Janet), son Dr. Reed Dana (Cindy), daughter Susan Foutz, daughter Kathleen Nelson (Kent), daughter Marilyn Coombs (Scott), and special daughter Deanna Roberts (Cleve). She has 43 grandchildren and 54 great-grandchildren, with several more on the way whom she has probably already hugged. She is preceded in death by her parents, Vivian V. and Carrie T. Olson, sister, LaVenda Herrera, and brother, Wayne T. Olson, and son in law, Dr. James R. Foutz. All of us will miss her smile, her love, her pride, her ham loaf, and that special yearly phone call when she would play "Happy Birthday" to us on her harmonica. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 10 AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 1438 N. Driftwood Drive, Gilbert Arizona. Viewing will be from 6PM to 8PM Tuesday night at Bunkers Mortuary at 3529 E. University, Mesa and at 9 AM Wednesday morning at the church.