Donna Jean (Knigge) Nitterauer

Donna Jean (Knigge) Nitterauer, beloved mother and grandmother, was called to her Heavenly home by our dear Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday, March 8, 2026. She passed away peacefully at her home at Applewood Our House in Arvada, Colorado, surrounded by loving family and caregivers. She was 90 years old.

Born on September 2, 1935 in Milan, Indiana, Donna Jean was the daughter of Marvey and Estella (Rahe) Knigge. Soon, her family moved north to Fort Wayne, Indiana where she lived for many years. She attended school at St. John’s Lutheran School, and graduated from South Side High School in 1953. Donna later decided to pursue a degree in Elementary Education and graduated from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio in 1957. Upon returning back to Fort Wayne, she taught second grade for many years with Fort Wayne Community Schools where she soon met her husband-to-be, Richard Nitterauer, who was the speech pathologist at the school where she taught. Donna Jean continued her education, graduating from St. Francis University with her Masters in Education.

Donna and Richard were active members of Bethany Lutheran Church and later Mount Calvary Lutheran Church both in Fort Wayne, IN. They began their own family with the birth of their daughter, Suzanne (Nitterauer) Hostetler in 1967. Richard and Donna enjoyed gardening, watching Indiana University basketball, renting lake cottages at several beautiful northern Indiana lakes in the summers, singing in various choirs, and taking driving trips around the United States, usually to see interesting historical sights. Donna also enjoyed playing the piano, crocheting, and cooking nutritious and delicious meals to serve to her loving family.

In 2013, Donna moved with her family to Arvada, Colorado where she lived for 13 years. She was a member of Peace Lutheran Church and enjoyed visits by the Pastors in her home for many years.

Donna Jean is survived by her daughter Suzanne (Ron) Hostetler of Arvada; her two loving grandsons, Benjamin of Tacoma, WA and Bradley of Denver, CO; and her sister, Diane (Tim) Byers of Eugene, OR. She was preceded in death by her parents, Marvey and Estella Knigge; her brother, Wayne Knigge; and her husband, Richard Nitterauer.

Family will attend a service honoring her faith and life at Olinger Crown Hill Funeral Home in Wheat Ridge, Colorado and also a graveside memorial at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in Fort Wayne, Indiana where she will be buried next to her husband, Richard, her parents, Marvey and Estella, and also her brother Wayne.

Donna will be remembered as a loving servant of Our Lord who cherished her family and brought many smiles and laughter to those who knew her.