Donna Ries

Donna Jacqueline Ries (nee Kraushaar), age 75, of Swift Current, Saskatchewan passed away on October 4, 2024, at the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon after a short fight with Lung Cancer. 

Donna was born in Melville and lived on the farm with her parents and 3 brothers. Life on the farm was hard, and work was plentiful. 

Donna married Jim in 1967, and they started their family soon after, having 4 children, Leonard, Darcy, Bonnie and Doug. The family moved to Swift Current in 1971 and bought their first and only family home in 1977 in Swift Current, SK.

Donna was a volunteer with the Navy League, and also a member of the Eagles Club in Swift Current. 

Jim & Donna purchased Swift Sanitary Service from their brother in law, Ross & Helen Korven (Jim’s sister) in 1974 & owned and operated it for nearly 40 years, which employed many staff over the decades. They worked hard and it has since become a household name for many. Donna’s other work experience wasn’t vast, but she did enjoy working at the SCCHS cafeteria a number of years ago.

Donna was into all things crafting. She often crocheted blankets for the grandkids (which she referred to as “little peanuts” before they were born) and their dollies, along with aprons, purses, clothes and anything else that could be salvaged from something she could repurpose. She made many sturdy re-usable grocery bags, and crocheted dishcloths long before it was on trend. 

Donna loved her garden, canning, cooking and baking everything from scratch. Out of the many favorites, there were perogies and open apple pie. Recipes have since been passed down, however, her chicken & dumplings is something that has not been able to be perfected by anyone.  Every Christmas Eve she had a spread of food, where family and friends would come and congregate. Some of her favorites were Queen sized olives and smoked cheese. Mogen David wine was always a staple as well. 

Donna was an avid walker and especially loved to stroll at the Chinook Golf course. She enjoyed this time with friends and with her dog, Roscoe. She was an avid animal lover and would often stop to talk to other fur baby parents along the way.

Donna & Jim enjoyed the outdoors and camping at Lac Pelletier. They had a permanent site for the past 40 years. They enjoying boating and all the activities that went along with it, such as skiing and tubing when their kids were at home. They took the grandkids fishing when they could and taught them how to fillet & fry up their fish. Sometimes the bounty was small, but they sure had fun doing it. Fishing & shooting the breeze around the campfire were also fun pastimes in recent years. 

Donna had no health issues until a couple of years ago. She then had a 6 week hospital stay at Swift Current Hospital and then Royal University Hospital until her passing on October 4th, 2024. She will be greatly missed by many, but we will remember her with the memories we hold dear.  

Donna is survived by her husband, Jim of 57 years; son Leonard (Shari), son Darcy (Mardelle Friesen), daughter Bonnie Ries, daughter in law Mel Ries; Grandchildren - Cassie (Mitch Francoeur), Morgan (Ryan Gerbrandt), Brayden Ries, Colton and Jordan Reed, Rosalie and Conrad Horrocks, Braedon Dyck, Phoenix (Lane Jacobson), Bliss and Sasha Ries;  Great Grandchildren - Mason, Nora & Clay Francoeur, Zoey Filion & Levi Gerbrandt, and Juniper Jacobson; Brothers Mervin Kraushaar and Wayne Kraushaar. 

Donna is pre-deceased by her Parents – Jack & Elizabeth Kraushaar, Brother Vivien and wife Irene Kraushaar and, son Doug Ries.

 A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 1:00 pm at the Eagles Hall in Swift Current with a luncheon to follow after a private interment.  

Memorial donations in Donna’s name can be made to STARTS-Air Ambulance, 2640 Airport Road, Regina, SK S4W 1A3. 

Arrangements entrusted to; Warren’s Funeral Home. For further information please call (306) 773-8831 or 1-800-267-6606 or visit our website at www.warrensfuneralhome.com and express your sympathy to family members on the tribute wall. 

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