Donna Lynn Leist
8/27/1956 - 10/23/2016

Donna Lynn Leist, 60, of Lake Jackson passed away peacefully at her home on October 23, 2016. Heaven has gained the strongest angel after her most courageous fight against brain cancer. Donna's strength and faith during this tough time was undeniable. She always told family and friends who came to visit not to worry because, "I got this!" Donna always put the needs of others before herself, whether it was friends or strangers, but especially when it came to her kids and grand-kids. She was affectionately called "Nonna" by her grandchildren, and many of her closest friends still refer to her as "Momma". Donna Lynn was born on August 27, 1956 in Freeport, Texas, the third child of Wilmer Mike and Etta Joyce Gaubatz. She was a lifelong resident of southern Brazoria County. She graduated from Brazoswood High School in 1974. At the age of 27, Donna began her 30 plus year career at Texas Dow Employees Credit Union where she touched the lives of many area residents and made many life long friends. Donna was swept off her feet in 1987 when she stumbled across the love of her life Danny Leist. They spent the next 29 years living in their home along Oyster Creek and Old Angleton Road where they nurtured a home filled with life, love, fun, and a place where they knew no strangers. Donna is survived by her husband, Danny Leist, of Angleton; daughter, Christy Lynn Quinones (Ivan), of San Antonio; son, Brent Lee Mixon (Tiffany), of Lake Jackson; grandchildren, Kalynn Danielle Quinones, Alyssa Nicole Quinones, Emily Gail Mixon, and Luke Leist Mixon; mother, Etta Joyce Hancock Gaubatz, of Angleton; father-in-law, Roy "Pops" Leist; and mother-in-law, Jennie Beth Leist, of Angleton; sister, Sheryl Marie Broaddus (Mark), of Freeport; brother, Michael James Gaubatz (Kelley), of Huntsville; sister-in-law, Valerie Holder (Keith), of Jones Creek; niece, Marquis Nicole Gaubatz Clarke (Kevin), of San Antonio; and nephews, Matthew Clark Broaddus (Natalie), of Lake Jackson, and Brian Mark Broaddus (Jenny), of Beaumont. She was preceded in death by her father, Wilmer Mike Gaubatz; and sister, Connie Jean Gaubatz. Family will receive visitors on Thursday October 27, 2016 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Brazos Pointe Fellowship located at 679 Hwy. 332W, Lake Jackson, TX. The service will be Friday, October 28, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. also at Brazos Pointe Fellowship. Honorary pallbearers will be Luke Mixon, JoJo Smirch, Ivan Quinones, Matthew Broaddus, Erik Verduzco, Brian Broaddus, and Kevin Clarke. Donna was a kind hearted lady with a gentle soul. She was beautiful on the inside and the outside, and we were blessed to have had her in our lives. Donna will be missed by many and she asked that we, "Look for me in rainbows". The family would like to give special thanks to her family, friends, community, caregivers, and medical staff that cared for her during the 2 1/2 years that she proved to be a warrior as she fought her battle with cancer. They ask that in lieu of flowers that you "pay it forward" by supporting a southern Brazoria County benefit for someone else in need or by donating in her memory to the charity of your choice.

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