Donna Mae Ristau, age 82, of Preston, Minn., died at St. Mary’s Hospital Rochester, Minn., on Saturday, September 24, 2016.
Donna Mae Bender was born on June 23, 1934, in Spring Valley, Minn., daughter of Bart and Beatrice (Nemec) Bender. After graduation, she went to work for Welke Studio and Paul Cross the attorney for about two years. Donna then applied for a job at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, and worked there as a dietary aide for about five years.
Donna and Russell “Jack” Ristau had dated for about two years and were married at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Spring Valley on September 26, 1959. They lived in Preston for one year and moved to the farm and have been “on the farm” since. Donna and Jack lived by Spring Valley for a few years and bought their present farm in 1967. They were about three miles east of Forestville State Park in Carimona Township.
She is survived by her daughter, Ellie (Terry) Schwartz of Fountain, Minn.; son Doug (Deb) of Preston, seven grandchildren: Nicole (Nick) Dirks of Fonda, Iowa; Amanda, Kristina, and Nathan Schwartz, all of Fountain; Kelsey (Joe) Woellert, Katelyn and Brady Ristau, all of Preston; one great-grandson, Hudson Woellert, and two great-granddaughters, Kaylee and Adalynn Dirks, brother Roger (Kay) Bender of Barron, Wis.; brothers-in-law Vernon (Kay) Ristau and Ervin (Judy) Ristau, and several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jack on August 06, 2015, granddaughter Amy Lynn, sisters Evelyn (Elden) Grabau and Betty (Arlow) Grabau.
Visitation for Donna will be Wednesday, September 28, 2016, from 5-8p.m. at the Hindt-Hudek (formerly Thauwald) Funeral Home in Preston, Minn., and one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, September 29, at Christ Lutheran Church, with Pastor Paul Thompson officiating. Donna will be laid to rest in the Carimona Cemetery, rural Preston.
Online Condolences may be left at www.hindtfuneralhomes.com.