Donna Rae Fritz

Donna Rae Fritz, 90, formerly of Hamburg, IA, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at Ambassador in Sidney, IA.

Donna (Simpson) Fritz was born on April 16, 1935, in Hamburg, IA, the daughter of Charles and Gladys (Prall) Simpson. She was raised in Hamburg and graduated from Hamburg High School with the Class of 1953.

She was united in marriage to Lester “Dale” Hendrickson in 1952, and to this union three children were born: Debra, Denise, and David. She was later united in marriage to Walton Everett Fritz on February 3, 1979, in Las Vegas, NV.

Donna worked most of her life in an office as a typist, mainly for Interstate Nursery and National Business System. Later in life, she worked as a cashier at Walmart.

Donna was always one to stay busy. She was an active member of United Trinity Church, where she attended services with her sister, Rosemary Spiegel. She loved children and had a calling to serve them, sponsoring several children for over 40 years through a Christian ministry. All the neighborhood children loved her, and she enjoyed looking after them. She was also an avid gardener, mushroom hunter, shopper, and card player. To her family, she was lovingly known as the “Queen of Cleaning". Christmas was her favorite time of year and she loved it when all of her family came home, baking dozens of cookies for them all to share.  Above all these things, she loved reading and studying her Bible.

She is lovingly remembered by her family, including her three children: Debra Heard (Bill) of Evansville, IN; Denise Dreiling (Duane) of Hutchinson, KS; and David Hendrickson of Carter Lake, IA; grandchildren: Daniel (Aixa) Heard, Jennifer (Brian) Barrett, Chuck (Kacie) Dirks, Ashley (Lee) Smith, Andy (Megan) Dirks, Heather (Matt) Bellows, Hayley (Brett) Scobee, Hunter (Matt) Walker; great-grandchildren: Avie, Andy, Isaac, Brooklyn, Rick, Jaci (Nathan), Taylee (Mason), Bo, Rock, Ky, Shad, Flint, LJ, Deacon, Madison, Palmer, Jack, Calley, Houston, Memphis, Harmony, Remington; great-great-grandson Hezekiah; siblings: Ruth Ward of Riverton, IA; Mack Simpson (Bonnie) of Lincoln, NE; Judith Winkler of Mesa, AZ; and Kathleen Stutheit of Nebraska City, NE; sisters-in-law: Jean Simpson and Gina Simpson; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends.

In addition to her husband Fritz, she was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Rick Dirks; parents Charles and Gladys; and siblings: Rosemary Spiegel, Chalmers “Bud” Simpson, Kay “Tator” Simpson, Betty Compton, Wayne Simpson, and William “Bill” Simpson.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at United Trinity Church in Hamburg. The family will greet friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Rash-Gude Funeral Home in Hamburg.

Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.

Rash-Gude Funeral Home in Hamburg is entrusted with arrangements.

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