Donna Rae Eich

Donna Rae (Boldt) Eich, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, March 16, 2021. She was 84 years old.

She was born in Omaha, Nebraska on June 19, 1936 to Ernest and Ethel Boldt. She was one of five children; she was the only girl. She adored her brothers and enjoyed a close relationship with them.

She is survived by her brother Gary Boldt of Hyannis, NE and her five children, Susan (Eich) Harris of Mesa, AZ; William Eich of Gilbert, AZ; Patricia (Eich) Riviere of Mesa, AZ; Mark Eich of Plano, TX and Cynthia Eich of Mesa, AZ, seven grandkids and twenty-two great-grandchildren. Many nieces and nephews. Donna is preceded in death by her husband of 62 years James (Jim) Charles Eich, Jr; three brothers Ernest Boldt, Jr; Kenneth Boldt, Sr; Byron Boldt and her granddaughter Madeline Rose Eich.

Donna and Jim both went to South High School in Omaha, NE and graduated in 1955. They married on August 31, 1957 and had five children. She enjoyed family camping trips, fishing, barbecues, German festivals and most of all, she loved her football, she was a die-hard Nebraska HUSKERS fan… as most people know. She devoted her life to her family and often said how her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought her so much joy. She was a wonderful homemaker, she loved to bake and cook, she loved her country music and dancing. She supported her children in their musical and sports endeavors.

Donna and Jim moved to Tempe, Arizona in 1989 to be nearer to their kids and grandkids, who lived in Mesa and Gilbert, AZ. In 2003, Jim and Donna retired and moved to Pottsboro, Texas to be near their son Mark and family who lived in Plano, TX. They spent a lot of time fishing on the lakes in Texas. They stayed in Texas 10 years (long enough for Donna to become a Dallas Cowboys Fan!) before moving back to Arizona. She quickly made friends wherever she lived and had a talent for seeing the good in others. She was an enjoyable and likeable person who was loved by many.

Donna and Jim lived in Apache Junction, Arizona and became members of Mountain View Lutheran Church. She loved the Saturday evening services and in the months of January – March, she especially loved the Polka Praise services.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 16, 2021 at 11:00 AM at Mountain View Lutheran Church. The address is 2122 S. Goldfield Road, Apache Junction, Arizona, 85119. Phone is 480-982-8266. A celebration/reception will be held immediately following the service.