Donna L. Rieken

Donna Lea Rieken was 88 years old when she passed away peacefully on November 29, 2017. She was surrounded by her family, in her home, at Amelia Place in Council Bluffs, IA. Donna was born in Norfolk, NE on May 30, 1929 to the late Cathryn L. (Leuenhagen) and Hans J. Petersen.

Donna attended elementary school and two years of high school in Osmond, Nebraska. She completed her high school education in Plainview, Nebraska, graduating in 1947. Donna attended Wayne State College and earned her teaching certificate. She taught Kindergarten in Cherokee, Iowa and Fullerton, Nebraska. While she was teaching in Fullerton, she met William (Bill) Rieken, the love of her life. They were married on March 29, 1951.

Bill served in the United States Navy during the Korean War and the young couple lived in New Jersey and San Diego, California. While he was deployed aboard ship in the Pacific, Donna continued to teach in rural schools in the Northeastern Nebraska area.

After serving in the Navy, the young couple farmed near Osmond, Nebraska for many years. They later became entrepreneurs and purchased and operated the Clay Center Cleaners in Clay Center, Nebraska. After Bill's untimely death in 1984, Donna relocated to Council Bluffs, Iowa where she purchased and operated the Sweet Things Shop in the Center Pointe Mall.

After her retirement from business ownership, she became the lunch lady at Crescent Elementary School, in Crescent, Iowa where she enjoyed many years with the teachers and students. Donna was a long time member of the Church of Christ in Council Bluffs.

In addition to her parents and husband, Donna was preceded in death by her brothers, Byron J. and Keith E. Petersen.

Donna's family was the greatest joy of her life. She is survived by brother, Dwain F. Petersen (Carole) and her children Kathryn Rieken Gutshall (Roger), Diane Wiese (Gerry), Merri Lynn Rieken, Paul Rieken (Becky).

The families were blessed with many grandchildren: Keellia Thurber Guevara (Pedro), Jared Thurber (Melissa), Joshua Thurber, Tana Deleon; Cindi Wiese Matthes (Christian), Bill Wiese (Sheanacy); Sara Rieken, Amanda Rieken Ayivodji (Anicet); Amber Rieken Denny (Matt), and Kayde Rieken; grandchildren by marriage, Elise Gutshall Hepworth (Matt) and Marisa Gutshall Savage (Matt).

She is also survived by her great grandchildren: Alma and William Guevara; Elliott Matthes; Sophia, Aleigha, Jaxson and Noah Wiese; Tahyonn, Ezhin, and Izayah Ayivodji and Tegan and Gideon Denny; great-grandchildren by marriage, Clara and Cooper Savage. They all called her GiGi and loved to play at her home.

Donna's family greatly appreciates the kind thoughts, prayers and support from our family and friends.

Visitation is 2:00p.m. to 4:00p.m. on Sunday at the Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home. Funeral service is 11:00a.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Inurnment is in the Pleasant View Cemetery in Plainview, Nebraska.