Obituary of Donna Lane Rayer

Donna Lane (Skomp) Rayer 6/10/1939 - 8/31/2020 is alive in Christ, her Spirit enjoying the presence of her Savior even though her physical body is absent from this earth. Donna, fondly known as "Mamma Donna" and "Mamma Da" by those who knew her, is preceded in death by her parents, Delmar and Doralea Skomp of Ann Arbor, MI. Donna was married to Nicholas Leon Rayer, Sr. for 57 years. Nick still resides in Pinckney, MI. Mamma Donna started her life in Milford, Iowa (now known as Spirit Lake) . Being born in a 1-bedroom shack, on a farm with no running water or electricity, determination and tenacity became two admirable traits of hers early on. She was a farm girl from the get-go, enjoying the outdoors and all things nature. She and her husband Nick Sr. resided on and took care of 130 some acres in Pinckney for 54 years (It is now known as the Reichert Conservation Area). The property was part of who Nick and Donna were as a couple. Donnas voracious love of knowledge and the outdoors was unmatched. She was active on the property until late 2017, at which point she went to live at Wellbridge of Pinckney. She spent her time gardening, identifying and even pulling invasive plants all along the pastures and "fire lanes" (especially wild garlic mustard). Many people can still remember the front yard and fence adorned with roses, morning glories and other lovely flowers she meticulously cared for. She was knowledgeable and self-taught on identifying invasive plants and bugs on the property as well, no stone was left unturned to Donna! She supported her husband and his endless projects and endeavors around the property. She lovingly made the little house a home over the years and her kitchen table became the hub for many visitors and conversations over a pot of coffee that never went dry. Donna cared for everyone she met - embracing them with her kindness and gracious way, offering a smile that lit up the room. If you met Donna, you knew she was someone who would "get the job done". She worked at Bendix in the 1960s as a top-notch secretary and even had offers to work as an engineer there. Instead, she made the decision to be a homemaker when her children were just babies. She was the queen of homemade pancakes, saving news articles, cutting and sharing coupons and working diligently to care for her familiys various needs. Donna is survived by her husband, Nicholas Leon Rayer Sr.. Her children; son Nicholas Leon Rayer Jr. (his wife Trisha), daughter Sally (her husband Jon Hall), and her two grandsons, Mitchell and Jacob Rayer, whom she absolutely adored. Many thanks to the staff at Wellbridge of Pinckney and Arbor Hospice for their love and care of Donna in her final season of life on earth. She was truly and one of kind woman and her presence will be deeply missed by many. "It really isnt about how much money you made, or how many countries you traveled. Or whether you died with a flat stomach. In the end, only two questions matter: How well did you love God? And how well did you love the people God gave you to love?" There will only be a gathering of family for a memorial