Donna J. Rieger

Donna J. Rieger, 89, of Gettysburg, beloved wife, mother, grandma, and great grandma, passed away peacefully Friday, December 19, 2025, at Avera Oahe Manor, Gettysburg.

A Celebration of Donna’s Life will be held early summer 2026.

Donna Joanne Hofman was born September 5, 1936, to Dick and Phyllis (Cook) Hofman in Clear Lake, SD. As one of five children, Donna was raised on a farm in Clear Lake where she learned how to work hard on the farm and in school. She graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1954 and then went on to attend the former Sioux Falls College, now USF, where she met her future husband, Ruben Rieger.

They married on April 20, 1956. Donna worked while Ruben finished his college degree. They lived in El Paso, TX for two years where Ruben served in the Army. After completing his enlistment, they moved to Newell, SD where Ruben began his teaching career. Three years later, in July 1963, they moved to Gettysburg and have been here ever since. In 1976, Donna started working as a custodian for Gettysburg High School where she stayed on for 25 years. The work was hard, but Donna loved the students.

Donna Grandma Rieger) will always be remembered for the dresses and pajamas she made for her children and grandchildren, for her beautiful flower and vegetable gardens, and for the wonderful smells and tastes that came from her kitchen. Donna was always active in the United Methodist Church. She was a dedicated member of the choir for years. She taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, participated in bake sales, and did whatever she was asked to do.

Donna is loved and will forever be missed by her surviving family members; Ruben, her husband of 69½ years; her four children, Howard (Mal) Granada Hills, CA, Jim (Pam) Estelline, SD, Cindy (David) Coughanour, Springville, UT, and Peggy Rieger, Gettysburg, SD; 10 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren (with one on the way); her four sisters; Ruth Berndt, White, SD, Carol Madsen, Sioux Falls, SD, Mildred Hack, Omaha, NE, and Barb (Bill) Schiefelbein, Clear Lake, SD.

Donna is preceded in death by her parents; one brother; three brothers-in-law; and one granddaughter, Amanda Rieger.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Donna’s arrangements.