Donald Virgil Liss

June 21, 1927 - December 11, 2017

Donald (“Don”) was born on a farm in Michigan on June 21, 1927 to wonderful parents, Ed and Sadie Liss. He passed away on December 11, 2017. He had an older brother, Art, and 3 sisters, Luella, Yolanda, and Geraldine. Growing up during the Great Depression, times were tough and although he had to wear patched clothes, he never went to bed hungry. His mom was a great cook who created some very delicious meals with whatever she had to work with. He also went to a one room school house, where he received an excellent education from a single teacher who taught all subjects for all eight grades. In 1942, his brother Art went into the Air Force to serve in the war, which left running the family farm up to Don and his father. Unfortunately his father was crippled with rheumatism, and the work was just too much, so they let the farm go and moved to Bay City. There, Don worked part time and went to high school until he was 17, when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the SW Pacific. After the war, he went into the construction trades and worked his way up to Supervision, becoming a developer-builder doing low, medium, and high-rise apartment complexes. During this time in Vale, CO, he met his true love, Renate, whom he married and raised his four beautiful children with: Donald R, Michael, Christina, & John. They would have celebrated their 53rd Anniversary in January 2017. Don went on to become a skilled contractor, eventually opening his own construction business, and was very skilled in woodworking, which he pursued as a hobby after retiring and created many beautiful and artistic pieces for family and friends. He was a man of great integrity, strength, honor, and honesty, who devoted his life to his faith, family, and service to others, and everyone who knew him loved him. He leaves behind Renate, his wonderful and devoted wife of over half a century, his sister Geraldine, his four children, seven grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. The Catholic funeral mass for Donald Liss will be held Saturday Dec. 16th at 10:00 a.m. at Mision de San Martin de Porres, 407 Ferry Street, Dayton OR 97114. Arrangements by Attrell’s Funeral Chapels. Donations may be made in remembrance to the Church of St. John’s in Yamhill, OR.