Donna (Kimpel) Rife

Donna (Kimpel) Rife, 89, of La Salle went home to be with Jesus on October 27, 2025.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Saturday, November 1, at the Hurst Funeral Home in La Salle with Elder Jeff Ikemire officiating. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Saturday from 10:00 AM until time of services. Donna will be buried next to her parents at the Lanark Cemetery in Lanark. Funeral services will be live streamed via the Hurst Funeral Home Facebook page.

Donna was born to Richard and Ruth (Kramer) Kimpel on January 24, 1936, on her great-grandparents’ (Anthony and Barbara (Kahler) Spinka) farm south of Lanark.

Donna attended Lanark High School and married her high school sweetheart, Don Rife. Together they had three beautiful daughters, Marsha Votava (Greg), Patti Haage (John), and Rita Rife Greenfield (Collin). Donna is survived by her three daughters and nine grandchildren, Jeremy Trunk, Justin Haage (Jackie), Matthew Haage (Sam), Ryan Lipka (Ashley), Shawn Lipka (Corrie), Jonathan Lipka (Brittanie), Erin Candel (Alex), Jessica Votava, and Kyle Votava. She is also survived by fourteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Donna is preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Dick Kimpel, and her sister, Sharon Ruble.

Donna was always very ambitious. At age 8, she dug for nightcrawlers that she sold to fishermen in the neighborhood for a penny each. She also walked and later biked a paper route delivering the Clinton Herold Newspaper. The same bike she used to deliver papers was incorporated into her beautiful garden that she enjoyed maintaining in the spring and summer.

When Donna was a junior in high school, she outsold the seniors, which was a first in school history. Donna followed her love for sales into adulthood where she sold Tupperware, Mary Kay Cosmetics, and Park Lane Jewelry. Her success in sales earned her a trip to Hawaii, a mink coat, and jewelry. Donna also worked for Westclox, EUC, and as a court reporter.

Donna was the family historian and enjoyed genealogy. She also loved camping, tending to her garden, crocheting, baking, reading, and playing card games. Most importantly, Donna loved Jesus and her family. Donna attended Faith Assembly of God in Peru where she was baptized on June 22, 2014. After moving to Sheridan in 2021, Donna attended Harvest Chapel in Sandwich.

Donna is remembered for her determination, sense of humor, and Euchre playing skills. Donna was the life of every party and made friends everywhere she went. Donna wanted her life to be celebrated and for her friends and family to find joy in their memories with her. Please consider leaving a note with your favorite memory or story of her for the family to read.

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