Donna Lynn Smith Jenks

BURLEY – Donna Lynn Smith Jenks tragically passed away on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in her home, just moments after her beloved husband, Kelly.

Born on September 9, 1962, in Rupert, Idaho, Donna was the eldest of three children born to Meredith Robert Smith and Sharon Kay Morgan Smith. She attended schools in Burley, Idaho, and graduated from Burley High School in 1980.

In 1979, Donna met the love of her life, Kelly Jenks. Their connection was immediate, built on shared passions for fishing, camping, and being outdoors. They found joy in attending concerts, spending time with family and friends, and especially cherished their visits to the Oregon coast. Together, they enjoyed canning, and their salsa and grape jelly became family favorites. Donna was an avid baker, and took great joy in preparing cakes and desserts for those she loved.

Donna’s professional life was centered around caring for children. She briefly worked at the Playhouse Daycare, and when it closed, her mother opened the Small World Daycare, where Donna continued to work until it too closed. She then took on the role of paraprofessional at Mt. View Elementary, where she dedicated 20 years of service before retiring in 2022.

In 1993, Donna and Kelly were blessed with their beloved daughter, Jerica Lynn. Jerica was the light of their lives, and Donna and Kelly shared a deep love for the outdoors, teaching Jerica to hunt, fish, and camp. They also passed along their love for the ocean, creating cherished memories as a family.

Donna’s greatest joy arrived on March 21, 2024, when their long-awaited granddaughter, Adalee Lynn Harper, was born. Adalee brought an immeasurable amount of joy and was truly a blessing to Donna and Kelly.

Donna is survived by her daughter, Jerica (Alex) Harper; granddaughter, Adalee Lynn; her mother, Sharon Strunk; father, Meredith (Naydene) Smith; sisters, Wendy (David) Burling and Missy (Dallen) Cantrell; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kelly; her grandparents, Smith and Jackson; her stepfather, JR Strunk; her stepbrother, Christian Strunk; her brother-in-law, Clint Smith; and her younger sister, Jolie Clegg.

A joint funeral for Donna and her husband, Kelly, will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 22, at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, located at 1350 E. 16th Street, in Burley. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery in Burley.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5 until 7 p.m. Monday, July 21, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, at the funeral home.

A live webcast of the Funeral Service will be available and maintained at the following link: https://youtu.be/Y2wx62l4n9o.