Rima, Donald Joseph -- 1922 - 1999

MCINTYRE, RIMA, MULL, BURNS, EIDE

Posted By: IAGenWeb Volunteer
Date: 7/29/2010 at 15:46:59

Decorah Journal, Thursday, Feb. 4, 1999

Press Time Bulletin -----

DONALD RIMA, 76, of Decorah, died of an apparent heart attack Sunday, Jan. 31, 1999, at his home.

A funeral mass will be held Thursday, Feb. 4, at 11 a.m., at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah, with burial in Phelps Cemetery. The French & Balik Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Survivors include two daughters, Donalee Burns and Darla Eide, both of Decorah, and a brother, Robert Rima of Decorah.
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Decorah Public Opinion, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 1999

Donald Joseph Rima

Donald Joseph Rima, 76, of Decorah, died of an apparent heart attack Sunday, Jan. 31, 1999, at his home.

A funeral mass was held Thursday, Feb. 4, at 11 a.m., at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah, with the Rev. Gary Krapfl officiating.

Alan Sensor was the organist. Joan Schissel was the cantor.

Casket bearers were Alan Bakke, Steve Stone, Larry Bentley, Tom Rima, Rob Burns and John Rima. Honorary bearers were Pam Pahl, Tom Bockman, Mike Bockman, Paul Ulviden, Mark Bockman, Teresa Bockman and Kristy Solum.

Interment was at Phelps Cemetery. The French & Balik Funeral Home of Decorah handled arrangements.

Donald was born Oct. 6, 1922, in Decorah, the son of Worden "Ward" H. and Florence M. (Mclntyre) Rima. He attended Decorah Schools through the eighth grade. He was a member of St. Benedict Catholic Church.

Donald was united in marriage with Anna Arleen Mull May 24, 1941, at the St. Benedict's parsonage. To this union three children were born.

Entering the United States Army in 1941, Donald served in the 70th Infantry/Artillery Division, called "The Trailblazers." He was stationed in Germany and honorably discharged in 1946.

Upon returning to the United States, Donald brought his wife and daughter, Donalee, back to Decorah from Dayton, Ohio, where they had lived with Arleen's parents while he was overseas.

Donald had may different careers during his life. He had been a milkman and he and his wife owned and operated the "Model Cleaners" for many years. After closing the cleaning business, Donald worked for Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital as head of the housekeeping department. While at the hospital, he also drove ambulance. After that, Donald was the head of maintenance at the Smith Building until he retired.

Donald was a Past Commander and lifetime member of the American Legion Bernatz-Symonds Post No. 163, a member of Helof-Holm Post No. 1977
and the V.F.W.

He was a member of the New Minowa Players and, with his wife Arleen, was instrumental in the moving and restoration of the Stovewood House, now owned by Vesterheim-American Norwegian Museum.

Donald is remembered as being "quite a character," always enjoying joking and kidding. He had a way of making everyone seem welcome. He liked to keep on top of what was going on locally and always had an opinion on events.

He enjoyed watching the Minnesota Vikings and Iowa Hawkeyes play.

Survivors include two daughters, Donalee Burns of Decorah, and Darla and Ken Eide of Decorah; five grandchildren, Kristine and Steve Stone of Cresco, Rob and Kara Burns of Fayette, Dena and Larry Bentley of Cresco, Joshua Eide at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, and Emily Eide of Decorah; five great-grandchildren, Daniel Burns of Decorah, Allison Burns and Macie Stone of Cresco, and Jeffery and Jade Burns of Fayette; one brother, Robert and Aggie Rima of Decorah; and several aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and friends.

Donald Rima was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Arleen, who died Jan. 3, 1991; his daughter, Marguerite Jeanne, who died Sept. 11, 1941; and several aunts and uncles.

Transcribed by an IA GenWeb Volunteer from obituaries found in the Howard-Winneshiek Genealogy Society Library, Cresco, Iowa.