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Donald REETZ Obituary
Spokane - Donald Lee Reetz, 53, passed away on March 23, 2025. Don was a founding member, songwriter, and leader of the Spokane rock band, the Makers. Known as Donny Maker to most of his fans, he performed hundreds of shows on stages around the world and appeared on dozens of recordings for labels such as Sub Pop, Kill Rock Stars, and Estrus. Donny's electrifying stage presence was the epitome of cool, a combination of steely aloofness and brass knuckle menace. Dressed to kill in his sharp vintage suits and sunglasses, his bold and supremely suave style helped elevate the Makers to one of the most entertaining live bands of the 1990s. The band remained active for 15 years.
For nearly 30 years, Don was a prolific artist, creating hundreds of oil and acrylic paintings under the name Don Virgo. Fans of his rough and rowdy music were stunned by his elegant, sophisticated and vibrant artwork. To his close friends and family, however, his paintings revealed a sensitivity and intelligence already familiar to them. Don's paintings live on in art collections everywhere. He sold many paintings and gave away many more. He never cared about money. Don would give his last five dollars to a homeless person without the slightest hesitation. In a world of snark and cynicism, he was guileless and sincere.
He loved his Dad, who was everything to him, and he loved his Mom, who was a pillar of strength in his life and stood by him through every twist and turn. He loved his dogs.
Donny was painting, writing songs, and playing guitar to the very end. He leaves behind his mother, Kim; brothers, Harry and Michael; niece, Valentina; nephew, Harry; and many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Donny was a beautiful man and will be dearly missed.
Memories and Condolences
for Donald REETZ
52 Entries
Leo Perez
September 10, 2025
All these memories are heavy but I want to carry them, I want to carry them.
Karin Olsen
July 11, 2025
What a beautiful tribute to Donnie. My heart goes out to you all.
Enzi
June 24, 2025
A kind-hearted and devoted Grandson, Son, and Brother.
Leo Perez
June 13, 2025
Rip Don. Seen you many times in Chicago and it was always a blast. So sad..i got a lump in my throat.
Jay
May 4, 2025
Jay
April 19, 2025
A gift from Donny.
Alice
April 15, 2025
I´ll be seeing you
Wander freely, then find rest
May your soul be at peace
I love you, Donny
Stefanie and Andy
April 13, 2025
Some of our favorite memories are our shows together. We are so sorry for your family´s loss and are thankful we had some time with the coolest guy around.
Stef and Andy
Jay
April 12, 2025
My lifelong friend. I miss you. I'll love you always.
Harry
April 11, 2025
More of Donny´s artwork
Enzi
April 9, 2025
Donny & Torello
Enzi
April 9, 2025
Donny Bear
Kindred soul brother, gentle & kind ~ I can still hear your soft & sweet voice & all the silly things you would say ~ always there to uplift, comfort, & giggle at the perfect time ~ just as big brothers do...
You are deeply loved and forever missed.
"In one of the stars I shall be living, in one of them I shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing when you look at the night sky."
- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Thank you, Michael, Harry, Sandy, and Kyle, for the special time spent remembering Donny...
And so, he is everywhere now ~ forever with us.
It is incredible to witness the outpouring of love through all the photos, the abundance of his beautiful paintings, and to hear his music left behind. A reminder that we never truly know how many lives we touch - Donny, you were, and are, so deeply loved by so many.
Love you Donny Bear,
Miss Enzianna Jones
Mom
April 8, 2025
Goodbye for now
My shining star
You´re my life
My love
My light
Wait for me son
I´ll see you
On the other side.
Mom
Sara
April 8, 2025
Donnie was a gentle soul who struggled against the harsher and crueler sides of our world. He was always unfalteringly kind to me. At times sweet and silly and always so talented. I can still hear in my head the soft little voice he sometimes used. I am so sad that in the last few years our lives drifted apart and I wish so much that he was still with us. I can still see him looking cool with his dark glasses and black gloves and his mischievous smile.
Tim
April 7, 2025
Don-Love you and miss you terribly. T-
Paul D
April 7, 2025
The light of your soul was bright enough to reach my heart, tucked away, in a remote corner of a fly over state. Bless you on your transition from this earth. Much love to Donny's family and friends.
Nick
April 7, 2025
Donny was a gentle soul with a sharp wit, a loving and caring man, and fun to hang out with, even when the brass knuckles came out. I'm thinking about him, and all the good times we had together, and wishing I'd seen him more recently, just one last time to hear him talk and laugh and play one more song. Rest in Peace, my friend. You'll be remembered and loved for a long time.
John Parks
April 6, 2025
Donny: The world is a lesser place without you!
Harry
April 6, 2025
Paintings
Harry
April 6, 2025
Uncle Donny
Michael
April 6, 2025
Moon River...
Wherever you're going, I'm going the same.
This place is too scary and mean.
Be with Dad. Be with your dogs.
Finally be happy. Please Be Happy, my Brother.
You made so much for us to keep.
Donny.
I Love You Forever.
I Miss You Forever.
Jodie
April 6, 2025
Words cannot convey my sadness; first kids I met when we moved in across the street from the "Reetz Boys" in 1974. I feel as if I've lost a family member. All of my love and prayers to Kim, Harry & Michael. I am so very sorry for your loss.
Roark Stephens
April 6, 2025
Donny and all the Makers were always SO kind and down to Earth with me.
Before moving to Tokyo I would never miss a show in Spokane. I continue to listen to them to this day. Donny will be deeply missed but never forgotten.
Thanh Utsurogi
April 5, 2025
Rest in peace, Donny. We all will meet again someday, somewhere over the rainbow!
Aunt Thanh and Uncle Kent
Priscilla Hannon
April 5, 2025
My love. One of the smartest, sweetest, and most handsome man I ever knew. The most talented artist. Nothing felt better than hearing that bass at a Makers show or him sing and play guitar in the early morning. No one compared to you. a man that was tortured with feeling the injustices of this world. May you rest in peace.
Rachael
April 5, 2025
I feel so lucky to have known you & honored to call you my friend. Thanks for everything, I'll see you on the other side...love you Donny!
KR
April 4, 2025
I love you and miss you so much
Mary Hosick
April 4, 2025
Sending my thoughts and love to the family during this time. Donny was a wonderful, talented, amazing person. A true artist!
His mischievous laugh and kind heart was contagious!
Thank you Donny for making life a little brighter xo
Chris Sharp
April 4, 2025
I recently had the chance to meet Donny, share a meal, and show him some of my artwork. I told him how much his music has meant to me over the past 30 years-how deeply it moved me and stayed with me. What hurts this morning is his absence from the physical world. His music brought me lasting comfort and strength, and I´ll carry that with me.
Cathye Carnes
April 4, 2025
I am so very sorry to hear this sad news. Sending love to Michael and Harry.
Sola Raynor
April 4, 2025
God bless you Don.
Fan
April 3, 2025
This is terrible news. Donny was the toughest Maker and the sweetest Maker.
Jamie Absalonson
April 3, 2025
Music. You helped heal our home and kept the fire of music alive - we love you and you will be very dearly missed. You were always teaching others how to play or you would get your guitar and play with others...every time there is a knock at the door (with your guitar in hand) and we are still in our pajamas we will think of you..
Scott Driscoll
April 3, 2025
I worked at the Crocodile Café in Seattle WA during the late 1900s, and during that time I worked many a Makers show, and man were those guys good!
Everyone in the band was always cool to the staff, my favorite memory of one of their live shows was when some drunkard decided to join them on stage - only to swiftly receive the headstock of Donny`s bass guitar like a heat guided missle, spearing the dolt directly in the sternum, sending him off the stage appropriately so. What a time we lived in, proud to have shared this Earth at the same time.
Sean Law
April 3, 2025
My sincerest condolences to all of Donny's family and friends. The Makers were an incredible musical force and they had a huge impact on me personally and many others worldwide. I was happy to have known him and to share some wild experiences during a fun and strange era. Although I had not seen him in many years, news of his passing has resonated deeply within me, as I'm sure it has with his many fans and friends. May his bass rumble through countless loudspeakers forevermore!
Sandy Christians
April 3, 2025
My thoughts & prayers go out to all of Donny's family! It was a privilege for me to meet Donny at my son Kyle & Clarice's wedding and again at their son George's baptism. He was so genuine, respectful and kind. I know how much Kyle loved him and will miss him as will so many others.
You all have my sincere sympathy!
john edward mermis
April 3, 2025
sincerely breaks my heart to hear this...
met him many times years ago as i released several makers records...
he was a kind caring soul and super talented!! condolences to harry and michael and all who knew and loved him . . .
Chris Alpert Coyle
April 3, 2025
I met Donny via text message after Dave Crider gave me his number for an article I was working on in 2018. I interviewed Donny for a couple hours for the piece; at several points in the conversation he had me in tears laughing. I learned a lot about him during that conversation. Surprisingly, we stayed in touch. And, when I was at a dark chapter in my life, Donny was there to bring me comforting words and helped me get through it all. This man had a heart of gold and I am so grateful I got to know him.
SR
April 3, 2025
He was the BEST.
old man foster
April 3, 2025
Met Donnie several times back in the mid 90s when our bands played together... incredible musician and a serious PRESENCE on stage. In their heyday, The Makers were the best rock and roll band in America - no one else really came close. Much love to his family and friends.
john gunsaulis
April 3, 2025
Jamie sheehan
April 3, 2025
So sorry to hear this news. Gone too soon. Thinking of the family at this time.
Cameron Smith
April 3, 2025
I loved this man! He was always kind, sweet, funny, and a perfect gentleman towards me over the years. I´ll treasure the memories of watching him tear it up on stage. Peace and love to the Reetz and Maker families.
Beth Kerr
April 3, 2025
this is gut wrenching
such a kind sweetheart with such a tough exterior, which - truth be told, wasn´t that hard to see through
I hate to break it to ya, fellas - he was my favorite (coz I felt so akin to him)
My heart breaks for you two and your mom and everyone who meant so much to him
Rest In Power, my dear friend
Kevin Cameron
April 3, 2025
Nobody more stylin´, always with a sly smile and every once in awhile I got to be in on the joke (which made me feel so much cooler!) I´ll miss you Donny.
Kerry
April 3, 2025
Love you Donny
Jon Swanstrom
April 3, 2025
A treasure of a human being. Love you, Donny.
Kyle Christians
April 3, 2025
Donny was like a brother to me, and was the godfather to my son George. We considered him part of our family. We loved him with all of our hearts and always will. He was an incredibly special person and was a major part of my and my family's lives. I loved every second I spent with him. Rest easy, my dear friend. I love you.
g
April 3, 2025
Liz
April 3, 2025
Love you Donny.
Harry Reetz
April 3, 2025
My kind talented brother Donny
Harry Reetz
April 3, 2025
Love you brother
Showing 1 - 52 of 52 results
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