Donald Vernon Herren

Donald Vernon Herren passed on June 29, 2025, age 96, at home in the company of loved ones.

Don, born in 1928, was the second youngest of 11 children in the blended family of Harrison Morton Herren and Mary Irene Friend in Walsh, Colorado. Don’s family survived the stark challenges of the dust bowl by migrant farming/share cropping in the states of Colorado, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, and Missouri prior to settling in Nyssa, Oregon where Don graduated from high school and met his future bride, Dorothy King.

Don and Dorothy married in 1948 at the ages of 19 and 16 respectively and had 5 children the first of whom passed shortly after birth. Don and Dorothy raised their family in Santa Cruz, California before retirement and settling near family in Auburn, Washington.

A social person, known by all as positive and kind, Don enjoyed his work as a groceryman. Primarily a produce manager, Don and his wife fulfilled their dreams by owning their own grocery store on Ocean Street in Santa Cruz.

With an avid interest in athletics, Don participated in sports in his youth and coached his children. Don and Dorothy enjoyed their grandchildren’s athletic activities. In addition, Don followed his favorite teams on television. Don golfed with his adult sons each week, weather permitting, even within the last week of his life.

Don & Dorothy, members of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints maintained lifelong friendships, enjoyed domestic travel and had second homes in Arizona and Lake Tahoe.

Don is predeceased by his beloved wife, Dorothy, for whom he cared during extended illness for the last years of her life, son Boyd Harrison Herren, and grandson Ryan Owens.

Survivors include sons Kip Herren (Julie) and Dee Herren (Terri) and daughter Candace Jean Martin, as well as, 12 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren with one on the way and 4 great-great grandchildren.

Memorial services 11 am, July 15, 2025 at the Church of Jesus Christ LDS on 625 M Street NE with a reception following. All family and friends are welcome. Family grave site gathering to follow. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice in memory of Donald Vernon Herren.

Don is laid to rest beside his wife of 72 years in Mountain View Cemetery, Auburn.