Donnabelle Marie Riggins

1937-2017

Donnabelle Marie Riggins, one of three children of John and Anna (Fahrenholz) Rippe, was born April 17, 1937 on a farm west of Brock, Nebraska. Donna was baptized and confirmed at Faith Lutheran Church in Talmage. She attended Charter Oak School through the 8th grade, and graduated from Brock High School in 1954. On June 19, 1959, Donna was united in marriage to Wendell Riggins in Nebraska City, Nebraska. They made their home near Brock, and would be blessed with two children, Alan and Ann. Donna was a long-time social worker with Health and Human Services in Auburn, Nebraska. She began her career in December of 1955, and continued until July of 1999, when she retired for health reasons. Donna had transferred her church membership to Zion Lutheran Church near Johnson, and was active in church activities. She enjoyed quilting, doing puzzles, and playing cards. She also had an extensive collection of salt and pepper shakers. On May 20, 2017, Donna was rushed to the Nemaha County Hospital in Auburn, and from there she was taken to St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Lincoln, Neb. It was there she passed away on Monday, May 22, 2017, at the age of 80 years, 1 month, and 5 days. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband Wendell on June 11, 1992. Donna is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Alan and Christy Riggins of Auburn; daughter Ann Haynes of Auburn and her special friend Ed Howell of Hays, Kansas; grandchildren Joshua Riggins, Shannon Riggins, Taylor Riggins, Derek and wife Jennifer Haynes, Darian Haynes, and Deidre Haynes; 11 great-grandchildren; sister Lois Riggins of Johnson; brother and sister-in-law Marvin and Lois June Rippe of Ava, Missouri; sister-in-law Bonita Johns of Lincoln; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. A funeral service was held Saturday, May 27, 2017 at Zion Lutheran Church near Johnson, conducted by Rev. Robert Rademacher. Susie Hogrefe played accompaniment for a duet by Bruce and Kathy Sohnholz, as well as congregational hymns. Grandchildren Joshua Riggins, Shannon Riggins, Taylor Riggins, Derek Haynes, Darian Haynes, and Deidre Haynes served as casket bearers. Larry and Jenny Riggins, Chuck and Marilyn Riggins, Kathy and Mark Ortmeier, Mike and Karen Riggins, Don and Julie Riggins, Cindy and David Nute, and Brenda Bock were flower attendants. Burial followed in the St. Paul Cemetery near Talmage. Services were entrusted to Hemmingsen Funeral Home of Auburn.