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Donna Rieken, 88

After Bill’s untimely death in 1984, Donna relocated to Council Bluffs, where she purchased and operated a popular Sweet Things Shop in the Center Pointe Mall. After her retirement from business ownership, Donna became the lunch lady at Crescent Elementary School, in Crescent, IA, where she enjoyed many years with the teachers and students. Donna was a longtime member of the Church of Christ in Council Bluffs. Donna’s family was the greatest joy of her life. She is survived by her brother, Dwain F. Petersen (Carole) of Mankato, MN, and her children, Kathryn Rieken Gutshall (Roger), Diane Wiese (Gerry), Merri Lynn Rieken and Paul Rieken (Becky). The families were blessed with many grandchildren: Keelia Thurber Guevara (Pedro), Jared Thurber (Melissa), Joshua Thurber, Tana Deleon; Cindi Wiese (Sheanacy); Sara Rieken, Amanda Rieken Ayivodji (Anicet); Amber Rieken Denny (Matt), and Kayde Rieken; children by marriage, Elise Gutshall Hepworth (Matt) and Marisa Gutshall Savage (Matt). She is also survived by her great-grandchildren: Alma and William Guevara; Elliott Mathes; 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. In addition to her parents and husband, Donna was preceded in death by brothers Byron J. and Keith E. Petersen, both graduates of Osmond High School, in 1941 and 1942, respectively.

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