Donna M. Ibach, age 100, affectionately known as GG, died on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at Mayo Clinic Hospital – St Marys Campus.
Funeral services for Donna will be held 10 a.m., Monday, November 13, 2023, at Preston United Methodist Church with Pastor Mark Woodward officiating. Burial will be at Crown Hill Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m., Monday at the church. Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home is assisting Donna’s family.
Donna Mae Ibach was born on February 23, 1923, daughter of Frank and Elsie (Kleimenhagen) Riehl. She graduated from Preston High School with the class of 1942. On October 20, 1943, Donna married Harlow Ibach. The couple farmed at Isinours for many years before moving into Preston in 1991. Donna and Harlow owned and operated the Victory Cafe and Branding Iron Restaurant. Donna also worked for the Fillmore County Extension Office. When the couple hit retirement age, they spent many winters in Las Vegas. Donna was a member of Preston EUB Church which then became Preston United Methodist Church.
Donna loved attending her grandchildrens’ sporting events, taking bus trips to the casinos, and playing bingo. She enjoyed being outside walleye fishing with her family in Northern Minnesota and Canada. Donna preferred to eat out rather than eat at home. She looked forward to every Tuesday having a noon meal with her whole family at B&B Olympic Bowl.
She is survived by her daughter Cheryl Petsch, grandson Scott (Paula) Melver, great-grandchildren Tim (Karla) Melver and Kate Melver, great-great-grandchildren Kylie and Blake Melver, and sister-in-law Betty Riehl.
Donna is preceded in death by her husband Harlow in 2004, sons-in-law Richard Melver and Richard Petsch, her parents Frank and Elsie Riehl, brothers Roy (Ruby), Merlin (Hazel), Lloyd, Donald, Frank Jr., an infant brother and sister, and sister-in-law Shirley (Russel) Hahn.
In memory of Donna, memorials are preferred to Preston United Methodist Church.