Ladonna Shanks

Ladonna Shanks was born and raised in Oregon's lush Willamette Valley. She graduated with high honors from Lebanon High School many decades ago then married and raised her family--a son and three daughters. As a recent octogenarian, she has pursued many interests, calling herself a "Jill-of-all-trades, mistress of none." She's been an entrepreneur--a struggling one, a small business owner--operating a gardening business for twenty years until retirement in 2022, and most recently, a writer. Her first book, Tidbits and Pearls: A Book of Essays on Living Everyday Life with God, was published in 2019 and was a Cascade Awards finalist in the Memoirs category. Ladonna's family, including five grandgirls and her commitment to God serve as her priorities. Not to be forgotten is her love of laughter.