Born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Daniel and Bernice Hoogestraat, Donnis graduated from Lennox High School before earning degrees from the University of Sioux Falls and the University of South Dakota. Her passion for service led her to a fulfilling career where she dedicated her life to others. Early in her professional life, she opened and was director of drug and alcohol recovery units in Utah, Idaho, and California before transitioning into ministry. Donnis was the associate pastor at First Baptist Church of Royal Oak, Michigan and later became the senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Ferndale, Michigan. She started a tutoring program and a childcare center hosted by the church. In later years, she was ordained as a priest with the Episcopal Church, serving the congregation in Rose City, Michigan and a member of St. David’s in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Throughout her life, Donnis was a committed servant to both her faith and community. She worked as a police chaplain and was deeply involved with Friendship House, an organization dedicated to supporting those in need. She also served and supported the Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities of Oakland County, Michigan. She served alongside mission organizations in India and Poland. Wherever she lived, Donnis poured her heart into improving the lives of those around her, always striving to make her community a better place for all.
Donnis is survived by her wife, Linda Ward of Lincoln, NE; son, Richard (Rick) Reese Jr. and his wife, Ann, of Lincoln, NE; daughter, Marianne Day and her husband, John, of Oklahoma City, OK; siblings Virgil Hoogestraat, Cheryl Zwart, and Sheila West; grandchildren Jeff, Bre, Ben, Jessica, Jordyn, Zak, Anna, and Emily; great-grandson Carter; niece and nephews Katie (Drew) Berky, Scot (Kendra) Ringenberg and Kyle (Morgan) Ringenberg; and former husband, Richard Reese.
Preceded in death by his parents and niece Ramona Laird.
A Memorial Service celebrating Donnis’s life will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Lincoln, NE. The service will be live-streamed for those unable to attend in person. A private burial will take place at a later date at White Chapel Cemetery in Troy, MI.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her name to the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement at thewomensalzheimersmovement.org.
Donnis leaves behind a legacy of kindness, compassion, and unwavering faith. She will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.