Donna Rae Reschke

Donna Rae Reschke passed from this life peacefully in her sleep January 5, 2022.

Donna was born March 12th 1932 in Le Mars, IA.  The Simeon family of Le Mars, Iowa had three grandchildren born that year and Donna remained close to her cousins.

The family moved to Chicago, IL when Donna was nine.  Her father and uncle had gone ahead to secure work, traveling by hopping a freight train.  Donna recounted the story of the move telling her grandkids that her dad contacted them from Chicago and told her he walked 80 blocks looking for work.  In tiny Le Mars, Donna couldn’t fathom a city with 80 blocks.  Donna, her mom and little brother followed by passenger train sometime later.   Donna recalled falling asleep on the train and asking her mom to wake her up when they crossed the Mississippi and she did.

Donna spent her childhood and young adult years in Chicago where she worked as a telephone operator.  In June of 1953, on a 104 degree day, she married Frank Reschke in St. Andrew’s Catholic Church.  The young couple met in high school and enjoyed movies and horseback riding north of the city.  They raised their family in Lake and McHenry County where Donna helped to build more than one home, learned to garden, preserve produce and plant a strawberry farm!

Donna was dedicated to her family and her faith. She spent the 3 o’clock hour every day with Jesus, the remaining hours were divided by her family life and her passion for quilting and needlework. The family has beautiful quilts and framed needlework to remember her by.

Donna is survived by her husband of 67 years, Frank Reschke, sons, Mike (Lorna) Reschke, Todd (Suzy) Reschke, Jim (Laura) Reschke and daughter Kay Meyer.

Grandchildren Erin Reschke (Kevin Ziemke), Craig Reschke (Ann Lui), Tyler (Emily) Reschke, Connor Reschke, Brendan Reschke, Emily Reschke, Whitney (Jared) Secor, Kelsey (Ryan) Beer, Madelyn Meyer, Baily Daggett (Gage), Taylor (Kris) Russell, Nick (Laura) Brown.

Donna was also blessed with eight great-grandchildren and the knowledge of more on the way.

She is also survived by her faithful companion Abbey (miniature poodle).

Donna was preceded in death by her father Richard Grant, her mother Mildred gran and her brother Dale Grant.

The funeral Mass for Donna Rae Reschke is at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Crystal Lake, January 10 at 10:00 am.

Interment will be at a later date at Holy Apostle Cemetery in McHenry, IL.

Memorials may be made to St. Thomas the Apostle Church.