Dona V. Rebers, age 83 of Jordan, died peacefully on Tuesday, October 23, 2018. A funeral service will be held on Sunday, October 28, 2018 at 3PM with a visitation 2-hours prior all at Hope Lutheran Church, 201 Hope Avenue, Jordan. Dona will be laid to rest at Oakwood Cemetery in Belle Plaine. Her grandchildren will act as urn bearers and Pastor Steve Thompson will preside.
On October 18, 1935 in Blakeley, MN, parents Otto and Jessie (Law) Schultz celebrated the birth of their daughter, Dona Viola. At a young age, the family moved to Belle Plaine where Dona completed her schooling.
In her adulthood, Dona dedicated herself to her family. She was her children’s biggest supporter and attended all their activities. Dona was the quintessential homemaker—sewing clothes for her children, canning, making bread, and gardening. A talented cook, her best recipes included her egg bake, breakfast lasagna, and cranberry ice. Whatever she was doing, Dona included her children. The boys often helped gather grapes for jelly and cucumbers to sell to Gedney’s in Chaska.
Dona was proud of her family. Her love and support for them was endless. Even if it meant traveling to another state, Dona wanted to be there for the big moments in her family’s lives. She took many special trips with family, going as far as Alaska, New Jersey, and to California where she saw the ocean for the first time.
While a homemaker for many years, Dona also worked outside of the home. In 1969, she began her career selling insurance. Later, she became a partner with the Jordan Agency where she worked until her retirement at age 72.
Never one to be idle, Dona volunteered with many organizations. When her children were young, she was a Sunday school teacher at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine. Later, at Hope Lutheran, she served as financial secretary, council president and vice president, deacon, and sang in the choir.
Since 1984, she was a member of the Jordan Commercial Club. Dona also volunteered at the Belle Plaine Thrift Store and assisted the Jordan first grade classes with math and reading. Dona especially loved getting together with the ladies for coffee club throughout the week.
Dona was patient and had a servant’s heart—she always put her family, friends, and community before herself. Dona will be missed by her children, Boyd (Marsha) Rebers, Craig (Karen) Rebers, Linda (James) Fahey, Dwight (Marisa) Rebers, Carol (James) Muir; 15 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; 5 step grandchildren; 6 step great-grandchildren; sisters, Jean Meierbachtol; Elda Zuleger and her husband Wayne; other relatives and friends.
She is greeted in Heaven by her parents; sister, Cora Soller; brother, Otto Schultz; brother-in-law, David Soller; brother-in-law, Ernst “Jack” Meierbachtol; sister-in-law, Connie Schultz.
Arrangements with Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, Jordan Chapel.
