Donna Richardson

Donna Mae (Hinrichs) Richardson was born on April 10, 1935, to George and Marie (Hesse) Hinrichs and died Sept. 5, at the age of 89. Donna went to school in Deshler, and graduated from Deshler High School on May 23, 1952. Donna attended Doane College in Crete, for one year majoring in business. After college, Donna was a medical secretary for Dr. Penry in Hebron. She was united in marriage to Donald (Don) Richardson on March 26, 1967. From this marriage was born a son, Greg. The couple moved to the Belleville, area and became of the “Richardson’s Jack and Jill” in Belleville. Donna also worked as an admissions clerk for the Republic County Hospital. After several years of serving the community, they retired from the grocery business. Donna continued to work as a receptionist for a lawyer, Bill Navis. 

Donna took classes throughout her working years to maintain her bookkeeping skills. Some of Donna’s friends commented on her business ventures with her sister, Marla (Hinrichs) Gerberding as a dress store manager in Hebron, before either of the ladies were married.

Once she retired, Donna became an avid quilter and joined a quilting group in Belleville. She enjoyed playing golf. She was a member of the Lutheran Church and Touchstones. Her favorite hobby was reading and traveling with her quilting friends during shop hops. Her memories are stitched into numerous quilts that she made for her granddaughters, Katelyn and Allison, other relatives and friends.

Donna is survived by her son, Greg Richardson and wife, Lisa, of Chester; granddaughters, Katelyn and Allison Richardson, Chester; sister, Marla Gerberding of Deshler; stepson, Steve Richardson of LaCrosse, Kansas; stepdaughter, Denise Morrison (Steve) of Hoisington, Kansas, and step-grandchildren Casey Morrison, Carla Schartz, Abby Jonas- and Stephanie Koochel.

Donna was preceded in death by her husband, Don; parents, George and Marie (Hesse) Hinrichs; father and mother-in-law, Harley and Dorothy Richardson; brothers-in-law, Gene Richardson, Gary Richardson, Roger Baldwin, Gary Friend and Russ Gerberding; sister-in-law, Sondra Richardson.

Following Donna’s wishes, she was cremated. Donna’s last request was to be with Don who died a few months before her on Jan. 15, 2024. To honor her wishes, Don and Donna will have a joint memorial service on Saturday, at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home in Belleville starting at 10 a.m.