Donna Marie Rieber

Donna Marie (Bader) Rieber

Donna was born on August 27, 1927, to John and Mary Augusta (Abel) Bader. She grew up on a farm near Breckenridge, MN with her siblings Merle, Isadore and Marge.

Donna met the love of her life, Francis “Al” Rieber, who worked on the Elo Abel farm near Breckenridge. When Al went off to fight in World War II, they remained in touch through letters. Upon his return they married on November 5, 1946, and enjoyed a beautiful life of 72 years together, which included the addition of 14 children!

Surviving Donna are her children Janice Quam, Linda Guetzkow, Sharon Menge, Larry (Mary Lou) Rieber, Shirley (Rod) Wirth, Karen (Gary) Zimmer, Cheryl Mikkelsen, Joe Rieber, Jim (Lisa) Rieber, Teresa Christianson, Dan (Lori) Rieber, Dr. Gerald (Tammy) Rieber and Jennifer (Tom) Fisher; and her sister Marge Kackman. Their son Thomas Rieber preceded her in death and was waiting for her in Heaven. She also loved and cherished numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Her children were the passion in her life. She spent her time at home raising the children and helping Al with his business. She always made sure her family had everything they needed before her needs, and all the love that was possible. She juggled many hats in raising her family, mother - counsellor, friend, confidant and someone with unconditional love for her family. Donna also made sure everyone knew they were always welcome at mealtimes. No one ever left her table hungry.

Donna was a very devout Catholic. Her faith was her foundation in life, and she maintained that faith and belief until her last day. She had a very personal connection to God and lived her life serving him. She could be found every day either at church, saying rosary or in prayer.

She was loved by everyone she encountered in life. She had many friends in Breckenridge and Sabin, MN where they raised their family, at Crystal Lake and in Arizona where they retired. After they retired, Crystal Lake was home and was the center of so many gatherings and great memories for all family and friends. One of the things Donna cherished was Saturday night supper where all her family that were at the lake would gather for a meal, and many times included the big yellow bowl with her famous potato salad! It was a great sense of family, community and time of sharing for her. She was the star cookie maker for her children, grandchildren and friends. The boys waited for their weekly pail of cookies to take for lunch, and the grandchildren waited patiently for her to tell them to go ahead and find the cookie pail when they visited.

She will be missed by her friends from Wickiup Mobile Home Park, Weavers Needles RV Park and Sierra Del Saguaro, in Apache Junction, AZ where they wintered for 30+ years. She was an avid participant in the weekly potlucks, dominoes, Farkle games and old-time music.

Donna was widely known for her caramel rolls. While in Arizona, she and other church women would start making rolls at 4:00 a.m. They would sell them all morning to raise money for the church youth education center. She also had a passion for quilting and up until a few months ago, continued to make quilts for youth groups in the Indian reservation of Arizona and for family members. At the biannual family reunion her quilts were always a prized gift.

Donna will be so missed by her family. She was their foundation, their rock, the glue that holds the family together. She instilled in them family values and that family is the core of life. She supported each of them through good times and bad times. She loved them unconditionally and nurtured each of them until her last breath.

All of her family will love and miss her forever, but they are happy she is now in the hands of God and reunited with dad and son Tommy.

Preceding Donna in death were her husband Francis “Al” Rieber; her parents John and Mary Augusta Bader; brothers Merle Bader and Isidore “Ike” Bader; sons-in-law Cliff Quam, Wes Guetzkow and Myron Mikkelsen; and her precious son Thomas.

In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to Perham Health for the great care they provided or St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church where she was able to practice her faith and devotion to God.

Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 4:30 p.m. and a Prayer Service at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 7, 2025, at St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church near Detroit Lakes, MN. Visitation will resume from 10:00-11:00 a.m. followed by the Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 8 at St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church. Interment will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery near Breckenridge, MN.

Schoeneberger Funeral & Cremation Service, Perham, MN (218) 346-5175 www.schoenebergerfh.com