Donna Joan Rice

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Donna. She passed away unexpectedly on June 16, 2025, at Royal University Hospital, surrounded by her family.

Donna was born in Saskatoon on May 21, 1940. She was put up for adoption by her birth mother when she was born. At two months of age, she was adopted by Wilf and Hilda Beirnes. Donna grew up on the family farm near Asquith. She told her children many stories about growing up with her siblings Berwyn, Norm, Darlene and Wenda. It was during those years that she developed a love for being outdoors and for farm life.

In March 1959 she married Arthur (Bud) Rice and in 1965 they bought the family farm where they raised their four children. They lived there for over 30 years and sold in 1998.

After a brief stay in Asquith, they bought land close to the old farm, where she had spent most of her life, and built a beautiful acreage. Bud passed away in 2013 and Donna sold the acreage in 2015. She moved to Asquith where she lived until June of 2024. She moved to a care home and eventually settled into Oliver Lodge in December 2024, where she resided until her Passing.

Over the years Bud and Donna dairy farmed, raised beef cattle, grain farmed and raised and raced thoroughbred horses, which they loved and took great pride in. In 1990 Donna was able to find her biological siblings. Over the years she built a strong bond with her sister Pat, whom she loved dearly.

Donna loved spending time with her family. She enjoyed playing cards, going to movies, going out for supper, spending time outside, going for drives out in the country and loved playing with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She will be dearly missed.

Donna is survived by her children, Corrie, Kelly (Jim), Karen & Brad (Joanie); grandchildren, Shane (Jing Lu), Valerie (Darryl), Carrissa (George), Amy (Dawson) and Brandon; great grandchildren Halen, Caelum, Arianna, Cohen, Sawyer and Cassia; siblings, Norman Beirnes; Wenda Knox, Pat (Norm) Stanger and Dennis; brothers & sisters-in-law Denny (Sharon) Rice, Barry (Peggy) Rice, Lynne Davidson, Janice (Brad) Rawlyk, Dale (Anne) Friesen, and many special nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her parents Wilf & Hilda Beirnes; Father-in-law Gordon (Doris).

husband, Bud; special granddaughter, Jamie Stack; sister Darlene, brother Berwyn; brothers and sisters-in-law, Shirley, Ken(Dot) Keith and Harold; and special nephews Les, Todd, and Jesse Friesen and Cody Rice.