Donna Mae (Hinrichs) Richardson was born on April 10, 1935, to George and Marie (Hesse) Hinrichs and passed from this earth on September 5, 2024, at the age of 89.
Donna went to school in Deshler, Nebraska, and graduated from Deshler High School on May 23, 1952. Donna attended Doane College in Crete, Nebraska, for one year majoring in business. After college, Donna was a medical secretary for Dr. Penry in Hebron, Nebraska. 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, Kansas, area and became grocery store co-owners for 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 excellent 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, Nebraska, before either of the ladies were married. Donna enjoyed working alongside family and friends. Once she was able to retire, Donna became an avid quilter and joined a quilting group in Belleville. She loved to play golf with the Couples’ and Women's League at the Belleville Country Club. 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, and other relatives/friends.
Donna is survived by her son, Greg Richardson and wife Lisa of Chester, NE; granddaughters, Katelyn and Allison Richardson, Chester, NE; sister, Marla Gerberding of Deshler, NE; nieces, Gina Hudson (Bill) of Belvidere, NE, and Shana Gerberding of Deshler, NE. Stepson, Steve Richardson of LaCrosse, KS; stepdaughter, Denise Morrison (Steve) of Hoisington, KS, and step grandchildren Casey Morrison, Carla Schartz, Abby Jonas, and Stephanie Koochel.
Donna is 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 passed away a few months before her on January 15, 2024.
To honor her wishes, Don and Donna will have a joint memorial service that will be held on Saturday, September 14th, 2024, at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home in Belleville starting at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Belleville Public Library in care of Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, PO Box 566, Belleville, Kansas, 66935. Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, condolences may be left at www.tibbettsfischerfuneralhome.com.