Fredonna Jo VanderMeulen

June 26, 1938 - May 4, 2021

Heaven has gained an angel. Fredonna “Donna” VanderMeulen, 82, passed away peacefully at her home in Lake Havasu City, Arizona on May 4, 2021 with family by her side. The beloved daughter of the late Claude and Faye Waggoner of Chino, California was born June 26, 1938 in Chino, California. Donna attended Chino High School and graduated in 1956. During high school she worked at Wag’s Fountain and Grill in Ontario, owned by her parents. She was happiest working at Ontario International Airport giving airport tours to the children, excited to share the magic of airplanes, luggage carousals and the behind the scene activities. She then started working for Air California as executive secretary and when Air Cal sold to American Airlines, she happily moved on to American Airlines as executive secretary. Throughout her various positions, her managers and peers witnessed her love of working and knowledge. Donna met Peter VanderMeulen while in High School. They married on February 22, 1957. Their passion was the Los Paisanos Jeep Club camping throughout the deserts and Glamis sand dunes. They enjoyed traveling the world including Greece, Japan, Europe, and beyond. But what they loved the most was the events involving their family and friends. Donna was known as the queen of entertaining and left behind plenty of dishes, table clothes, and decorations to prove that. She played dress-up with her grandchildren, hosted tea parties, and baked the best cakes. Pete and Donna retired to Lake Havasu City in 1999 from Chino, California always referring to Lake Havasu as their paradise. They enjoyed the design and construction process of their dream home where they hosted Fourth of July parties, Hot Air Balloon parties, BBQ’s, family gatherings, and more. They had three children, Peter Michael, Donna DeLynn, and John Edward. They were blessed with five grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Donna is survived by her son, Peter Michael (Upland, CA); daughter DeLynn Sands (Laguna Beach, CA); and son John Edward and daughter-in-law Monica (Glendale, AZ); Five grandchildren, Brian, Joshua, Terra, Morgan and Maxwell; six great grandchildren, Bailey, Parker, Rider, Riley, and Brayton; a sister, Rita Robertson and a brother, Rex Waggoner (Nina Waggoner), as well as several nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held at her residence in Lake Havasu City on Thursday, May 13 at 5:00 pm. In addition, there will be a Celebration of Life in the Inland Empire during the month of June. Burial will be private.