Donna Mae (Reiman) Boers was born to the late William (Bill) and Mary Reiman on July 18, 1931 in Manning, Iowa. Her older brother Floyd eagerly awaited her arrival at home. While Donna was still young, the family moved to Milford, Iowa where she attended St. Joseph Catholic School and Milford High School. While in school, she was very involved in many clubs and other activities. She also started her life-time career in photography by working with Ruth DeSpain and DeSpain’s Portraits.
On October 25, 1949, Donna married her high school sweet heart, Howard Lorraine Boers (son of Howard and Dosia Boers). They were married at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, where they were members throughout their time in Iowa. The couple lived on Lorraine’s family farm for several years before moving to Arnold’s Park in 1953. As their family grew, she continued to tint portraits in oil for several large mid-western studios. The Spencer Sunday Times did a Mother’s Day article on her, her family, and her “exceptional artistic ability.” In addition to painting, she enjoyed entertaining and sewing outfits for the children. With nine children at home, she opened Boers Portraits in 1963 in Okoboji, Iowa. She later changed the business name to Lorraine’s Studio.
In 1964, Lorraine (aka Stub), was ready to return to farming so the family moved to a small farm outside Milford, Iowa and started a dairy with the help of their three eldest sons. Unfortunately, a tornado destroyed part of the barn. In 1969, they moved across the border to Dunnell, Minnesota. They lived in the Dunnell/Sherburn area for many years where the continued to farm and keep dairy cows. Lorraine’s Studio also made the move to Sherburn. During this busy time in her life, six of her children graduated from Sherburn High School.
In 1977, Stub was done with the Minnesota winters, and with the three youngest children in tow, the family moved to Tempe, Arizona and started Mineso Dairy. Two years later, the family moved the dairy to Buckeye, Arizona. By that time, several of their older children had joined them in their endeavor and the farm became the gathering place for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and many memorable hog roasts. With as many as 22 children living on the homestead at one time, there was never a dull moment. And the stories keep coming! They were members of St. Henry’s Catholic Church all their years in Buckeye.
No longer in the photography business, Donna kept busy during her Arizona years with research and discovery on cancer issues. She was also a founding member of C.U.R.E. (Clean Up Rural Environment). In 2002, she lost the love of her life to cancer. She moved to Avondale with her son Doug, who was an active member of St. John Vianney Church until his death in 2016.
Donna’s faith was an integral part of her life. She lived it every day and always kept a positive outlook. She prayed daily – never wanting – but always with Gratitude and a Thankful Heart for her Blessed life.
After a short illness, Donna left this world on October 4, 2023 to join her loved ones in heaven. She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Lorraine; son, Douglas, daughter-in-law Terri Griffin-Boers, brother and sister-in-law, Floyd and Betty Reiman (Moline, IL), brothers and sisters-in-law Paul and Darlene McCrae (Eldora, IA) and Luverne (Cliff) and Elloween Clifford (Milford, Iowa), step-father, John Pelzel, and infant sister Willa.
Donna is survived by her children: Larry Boers, Robert (Marsha) Boers, Connie (Dennis) Helmers, Kathy (Kevin) Knuth, Scott Boers, Michael (Juanita) Boers, David (Anne) Boers, Casey (Angie) Khaleesi. She is also survived by 34 grandchildren, and a multitude great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and her large extended family and friends.
The family would like to give special thanks to Hospice of the Valley and Paradise for Parents.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to St. Jude’s Children's Hospital.
A visitation will begin at 5pm on Oct 26 at Thompson Funeral (926 South Litchfield Rd, Goodyear, AZ). A recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 6:30pm after the visitation. A Funeral Mass will be held at 2pm on Oct 27 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church (800 W. Loma Linda Blvd, Goodyear, AZ).
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