Donna was born August 26, 1935, to Albert and Rose Hempel (Fiala) in Charles Mix County, Wagner, South Dakota.
She graduated from Geddes High School in 1953. She was united in marriage to Richard (Dick) Jedlicka on December 23, 1954, in Geddes, South Dakota. Dick was serving in the US Army stationed in Panama. While Dick returned to Panama, Donna worked at J.C. Penney in Chamberlain, South Dakota until his discharge. They next lived in Pierre and Murdo SD where their son Mike was born. The family moved to Vivian, SD where they welcomed 2 more son’s David and Curt. They next moved to Philip, SD where Dick worked for Old Home Bread. In 1971 they moved to Wall, SD where Dick worked for Virgil and Lillian Horton. Later they bought the Charlie Horton place raising cattle, hogs, horses and started Jedlicka Ditching. Donna moved to Wall after Dick’s death in 1991. Donna worked at Wall Drug for 44 years from 1974 to 2018 when she fell and had to stop working. In 2018 she moved to Edgewood Assisted living and later to Morningstar Assisted Living in Rapid City, SD.
Donna had many hobbies. She was a member of the Quilt Club in Wall making many quilts for family and friends. She loved to travel, taking cruises to Alaska and Bahamas. She took many bus trips around the US. She drove many trips to Sioux Falls and Rapid City to see her sons and families, and Mitchell to see her brothers. She liked to garden growing tomatoes and flowers. She made the very best casseroles, cakes, cookies, bars and jelly!
She is survived by her brother, Dwight Hempel of Lake Andes SD, her sons and their spouses Mike (Cheryl) Jedlicka of Sioux Falls, SD and David (Kathy) Jedlicka of Rapid City, SD ; 6 grandchildren Heidi (Joe) Halvarson of Minneapolis, Amy (Joseph) Mattson of Sioux Falls, Katie (Jake) Sieve of Minneapolis, Nathan Jedlicka of Sioux Falls, Jacob (Bailey) Jedlicka of Philip, and Haley (Casey) Bauer of Union Center; 5 great grandchildren Gretta and Luka Halverson, Leland Mattson, Leo Sieve and Jackie Bauer.
Donna was preceded in death by her husband Richard (Dick), son Curt, her parents, and brother Richard Hempel.
A visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m. with a prayer service at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at Rush Funeral Chapel in Wall.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at the United Methodist Church in Wall with Pastor Justin Trent officiating.
Interment will follow at the Wall Cemetery.
Guest Book
My condolences go out to the family. I have very fond memories of working and talking to Donna while we worked at the Drug Store. Her bright smile will be missed.
~ Kathy Simpfenderfer
Wall,SD (3/27/2024)
Montana
~ Karen Warner Moore
Missoula (4/3/2024)
Our condolences to the Jedlicka family. Your mom was always a joy to work and spend any time with. I know how much she loved her family and her time working at Wall Drug, where she was a reliable and trusted employee. We're grateful for her gentle presence in our lives. Still missing our Curt...and hoping they are together in heaven!
~ Keith & Cathy Thompson
Edwards, CO (3/31/2024)
So sorry to hear about Donna. Know we are thinking about you all and sending prayers.
~ Tom and Kamie Carmichael
Oakland, NE (3/28/2024)
Let’s try this again, I loved Donna as our neighbor, I loved seeing her face at the Drug Store. She always made people feel special and cared about their lives. What an amazing woman
~ Karen Moore
Montana (4/3/2024)
So sorry for your loss, the years we grew up close to your family was sweet. Donna was a gentle quiet sweet lady. I'm sure you boys have stories to tell and if you're mom had any gray hairs on that beautiful head they were well earned 😊 I know you will miss her greatly. God bless
~ Sue Crossman (Warner)
Rapid City (4/3/2024)
My dad told me that Dick and Donna loved when we would visit when I was a baby and dad was in the airforce in Ellsworth. I only have a few memories of seeing Donna as I was older when we would visit. It's interesting to have people say I was so close to Donna in my first 3 years of life, and not remembering it myself. Thanks for being a part of my life Donna. See ya on the other side.
~ Dacey Jedlicka
Manhattan, Montana (3/28/2024)
I remember her very well when they lived in Vivian SD. I spent a lot of time with my grandparents who lived across the street from them. Mike and I used to play a lot together. Dick and my grandfather we close friends.
~ Curtis j england
Pierre SD (3/27/2024)
I'm sorry to hear the news of the loss of Miss Donna. She was a special lady to everyone. I'm sorry my thoughts are with you all.
~ Dennis Eliason
Rapid City, SD (3/28/2024)
I am saddened by this news. Donna was one of the dearest ladies I have ever met. We always stopped and saw her when she worked at the drug store. Our sympathies and prayers.
~ Lea Willuweit Ymker
Armour SD (3/28/2024)
Donna and I were quiet quilters at the Guild.
I missed her when she moved to Rapid City.
~ Irene Livermore
Wall, SD (3/28/2024)
I am so sorry for your loss I remember waiting for my mom to get off work at the Community center and would go to the Bookstore to hangout and Visit with Donna almost every day sh was loved and will be badly missed ❤️
~ Tammy Wolf Shields
Mitchell, SD (3/28/2024)
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time. Donna was an amazing lady who was fun to work with. She will be missed!
~ Stacey (Johannesen) Santiago
Tennessee (4/2/2024)
My sympathy to Donna's family. I will always remember the Drug Store days when I worked with Donna in the bookstore. She was a very special lady.
~ CONNIE J GEIGLE
Rapid City, SD (3/28/2024)
Rest in peace in our Lord’s arms, dear friend. I’ll forever hold in my heart the wonderful memories of our years working at Wall Drug, business trips when Bill Hustead sent us to New Orleans and Chicago, driving to Wall for your quilt club, shopping, visiting friends here in Rapid. You were a special friend, and will be missed by everyone who knew you. God’s peace to all your family.
~ Gayle Eisenbraun Prentice
Rapid City (3/29/2024)
I am so sorry for your loss. Donna was a very special lady so kind and loving. I always look forward to spring when I would go to rapid and get her and we would go out for dinner and go shopping. We used to have so much fun and laughed. She had his heart as big as gold And always loved everybody ? Anytime anybody needed help Donna was there for them one of the sweetest ladies I have ever known
~ Sue Michels
Wall,SD (3/27/2024)
I am so sorry for the family’s loss. Donna was incredibly kind and such a blessing to her to family. Sending my love & prayers.
~ Brittany Ryan
Summerset (3/28/2024)
I am so very sorry for your loss. Donna was 1 of the sweetest ladies I ever knew. She always had a smile & such a kind heart. I always enjoyed sitting with her at church & visiting about days gone by. My deepest sympathies to you all.
~ Cindy (Gabriel) Nuzum
Wall SD (3/28/2024)
My thoughts and prayers for Donna's family. I worked with Donna at Wall Drug many years ago. She was an amazing lady. Always had a smile on her face. She will be missed.
~ Janet Hansen
Rapid City (3/28/2024)
Donna was such a sweet lady. We missed her at quilt club after she moved to Rapid. She was always smiling and so kind! My deepest condolences!
~ Rhonda Mettler
Wall (3/27/2024)
My condolences to the Jedlicka Family. My parents were friends of Dick & Donna, going on the wagon trains together. My Mom worked at Wall Drug with Donna. Rest In Peace beautiful Donna.
~ Kathy Hoffman Thompson
Whitewood,SD (3/28/2024)
We are so sorry for your loss. Donna was a beautiful lady inside and out. She always had a smile on her face. Linda loved working next door to her at Wall Drug one summer and Clayton’s family knew and respected her for many years as neighbors and friends. Donna will be missed.
~ Clayton & Linda Baysinger
Rapid City (3/30/2024)
We are so sorry for your loss. She was a very special lady. She always had a kind word. Our deepest sympathy!
~ Doris Eisenbraun
Creighton (3/27/2024)
So sorry for your family's loss. We worked with her during our summers in Wall and were her neighbors as well.. Loved her stories, and most of all smile. A true Lady.
~ Cindy and Randy Harris
Palm Bay Fl (3/27/2024)
Loved working with Donna. Such a great friend!
~ Angie Johnston Charlson
Rapid City,SD (3/30/2024)