1933 – 2026
Donna Bischel passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on the evening of June 30, 2026.
Born Donna Jean Ragsdale, she was affectionately known as “Polly” by her family. Raised in Grandview, Washington, she grew up surrounded by a large extended family, as her father came from a local family of twelve children. Her parents were Clarence and Edna Ragsdale, and her siblings were her older sister, Denzyle; her brother, Ron; her sister, Lynne; and her brother, David.
In high school, Donna discovered a love of sports, especially tennis, while also participating in softball and basketball. She served as captain of the high school drill team, and one of her favorite memories was traveling with the band to the Rose Parade. Following graduation, she attended Warner Pacific College in Portland, Oregon.
While living in Fresno, California, she met Franklin Bischel, and the two were married in Carmel, California, in 1965. Ten years later, they relocated to Prosser, Washington, in the Yakima Valley, where Donna poured her creativity into restoring a century-old home along the Yakima River. She also cultivated a large flower garden, selling bouquets around town. What began as a hobby soon became a passion, leading to a career as a floral designer in the Tri-Cities and later Olympia.
After moving to Olympia, Donna and Franklin enjoyed several international trips to visit their daughter and friends. In retirement, they settled in Edmonds, Washington, to be closer to family, where they became deeply involved in the lives of their two grandsons.
Donna found joy in watching birds, learning about the trees of the Pacific Northwest, spending hours talking on the phone with her sister Lynne, enjoying the friendships she built in the Edmonds community, sharing life with the family’s beloved dogs—Astro, Fozzie, and Hugo—and, of course, cheering on her grandsons at their many sporting events.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Franklin. She is survived by her daughter, Gretchen; son-in-law, John; grandsons, Kohl and Max; sisters, Lynne and Denzyle; sisters-in-law, Joanne and Terri; and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Edmonds Food Bank or the Sierra Club.
Lastly, the family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the exceptional staff of Evergreen Hospice. Their compassion, dedication, and support meant the world to Donna and to her family during her final month.
Donna will be remembered for her creative spirit, her curiosity about the natural world, and the deep love she had for her family. She had a gift for creating a sophisticated beauty wherever she lived, whether through flowers, gardens, or a welcoming home.