Donna Belle Reiff

Donna Belle Reiff, age 95, of Lake Oswego, Oregon, was called home to be with our Lord on November 25, 2025.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 555 3rd Avenue, Manilla, Iowa, on December 16, 2025, at 1:00 pm. Burial will be in the Mount Olivet Cemetery near Manilla. Donna will be laid to rest alongside her parents.

Donna was the first-born child to Werner and Erma (Wiese) Reiff on October 3, 1930, in Denison, Iowa. She spent her childhood in Buck Grove, Iowa and attended a country school there before graduating from Denison High School in 1948. Donna attended college at Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, Iowa. She majored in elementary education and earned a bachelor’s degree in music. After her graduation in 1952, Donna taught in several Iowa towns, including Ar-We-Va elementary school in Westside and in Massena. She also enjoyed giving private piano lessons.

Donna started a new life by moving to West Linn (Portland), Ore., in 1964. She taught fifth grade at the West Orient School until her retirement in 1987. One of her proudest achievements was building her beach home in Oceanside, Ore., where she spent weekends and summers. She enjoyed visits from friends and family. Donna loved crossword and jigsaw puzzles. She was very pleased after completing a 2000-piece puzzle. After retirement, Donna learned how to play bridge and became an avid player and enjoyed playing duplicate bridge. Another hobby was her flower gardens, and she spent quite a bit of time caring for them during summers.

Donna was a lifelong devout Catholic and was a member of the Portland Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women. She decided to make a move in 2003 to Mary’s Woods in Lake Oswego. She loved living in the spirit of Catholic values and the religious opportunities for daily Mass and prayer. She also enjoyed the community life of many friendships, musical performances, educational programs, and of course, bridge.

Donna will be remembered for her love and devotion to animals, especially cats, she would always make a home for a stray in her home or garage. The last cat she had at Mary’s Woods was a beautiful Ragdoll named Tony. She loved them all.

Survivors include her devoted sister, Rose Ann (Larry) Toner of Grand Island, Nebraska; niece, Laura Moccia (Mark Kuzelka) of Fountain Hills, Arizona; two nephews: Clark (Nancy) Toner of Omaha, Nebraska and Jim (Susan) Toner of Grand Island, Nebraska; five cousins: Jo Ann Gresso of St. Charles, Missouri, Bill (Judy) Reiff of Callaway, Nebraska, Jim (Nancy) Wiese of Iowa City, Peggy Shelton of Des Moines and Teri Miller of Macungie, Pennsylvania.

Donna is preceded in death by her parents, many aunts, uncles, cousins, and nephew, Steven Toner, who was her godson.

Memorials in Donna’s honor can be made to Brighton Hospice Services in Tualatin, Ore., or to ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).