Donna Marie Richter, age 77, of Shawano, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 17, 2022. She was born on August 21, 1945, to the late Clyde and Mildred (Lechterman) Strelow, Sr. She grew up on the family farm in Pella and graduated from Marion High School. She attended dental assistant school in Milwaukee and worked at an office in Appleton for several years. On August 27, 1966, she was united in marriage to Gordon Richter at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Leopolis. Together they purchased a dairy farm in the Town of Herman which they put their heart and soul into until Gordon's passing in 1999. She also worked at the clock factory in Clintonville and in housekeeping at the Shawano Medical Center where she made many dear friends.

Donna had a quiet personality and a big heart. She was always there when someone needed her; helping with grandkids, nursing the sick, rolling up her sleeves when a job had to get done, a willing travel companion, giving kind words of encouragement, and sharing the joys and sorrows of her loved ones. She also had a great love for animals which she passed on to her kids and grandkids. In her younger years, she was a fearless horseback rider, usually riding bareback and always getting right back on if she fell off. It was love at first sight when Gordon caught a glimpse of her riding down the road. She could nurse a kitten back from the brink of death which she did on many occasions. And the farm had no shortage of bird houses and feeders. She was a hard worker all her life. Growing up, she helped her mother with gardening and cleaning the Pella schoolhouse. While farming, she was the head cow milker and, when not milking, she was either out doing field work, tending to her immaculate lawn and garden, canning, or fixing a meal big enough for an army. Her happy place was on her John Deere lawn mower.

Donna will be dearly missed by: her children, Brian Richter (Kristine Theis), Julie Richter, Jane Williams (Jeff Kammerer), and Bruce Richter; grandchildren, Erin Richter (Travis Freiheit), Brandon Sivertson (Bradie Hammond), Samantha Richter, Thaddeus Carroll (Amy Namur), Isabelle Carroll, Lydia Williams, Ely Williams, and Seth Williams; brothers, Thomas Strelow and Clyde Strehlow; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Betty Strelow, Howard and Phebe Richter, Marian and Fred Pape, Arlene and Jerry Wilson, and Mari Richter; good friends, Nancy Laude, Karen Pevonka, Philly Wilson, Sheryl Strelow, and many others. She is further survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Donna was preceded in death by: her parents, Clyde and Mildred; her husband, Gordon; brothers, Floyd Strelow, Robert Strelow, Gerald Strelow, and her twin brother, Donald Strelow; parents-in-law, Lavern and Elvira Richter; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Joan Strelow, Patricia Strehlow, Peggi Strelow, Lowell (Audrey) Richter, Doris (Ira) Bruchs, and Rev. Marvin Richter.

A memorial service for Donna will be held on Saturday, November 26, 2022, at 11:00 am at Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano with Pastor Lois Graper officiating. Interment will be at the Greenleaf Cemetery in Marion. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 9:00 am until the time of the service at the funeral home.