Donna Rae Rugaard

Donna Rae Rugaard, the daughter of Robert Byrd and Norma Helena (Christensen) Ruhs, was born October 22, 1949, in Audubon, Iowa and died January 13, 2022, at the Friendship Home at the age of 72 years, 2 months, and 21 days.
Donna was baptized and confirmed at the Methodist Church in Audubon. She attended the Audubon Community Schools graduating with the High School Class of 1968. She then worked at Casey’s becoming the Assistant Manager/Cashier. Then worked at the Nifty Needle where she sold fabric, patterns and sewing machines for several years. Later she was employed at the Audubon County Memorial Hospital in the Housekeeping Department. Donna worked as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), taught CPR classes and was a Dispatcher/Jailer at the Audubon County Sheriff’s office for over twenty years until she retired.
On June 12, 1966, she was united in marriage to Robert E. Rugaard at the First Methodist Church in Audubon. They were blessed with four children Kevin, Tom, Dan, and Mary Jo.
Donna was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Audubon and was a member of the Church Circle. She was a member of the Lions Club, and the Audubon County Saddle Club in Audubon. Donna enjoyed square dancing, playing cards at card parties, bowling, canning, sewing, playing the piano and was an avid reader. Donna loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. Donna always had a pot of coffee on to share with her visitors.
Preceding Donna in death were her husband of almost 55 years, Robert Rugaard, her granddaughter Morgan Borkowski, her parents; her brothers-in-law Richard Jensen, Jack Boyd, Emmert Hansen, and Regin Rugaard; her mother-in-law and father-in-law Thomas and Elbertha Rugaard
Survivors include her children Kevin and wife Risa Rugaard of Audubon, Tom Rugaard of Parachute, Colorado, Dan Rugaard and Mary Jo and husband Terrill Burger all of Hamlin, Iowa; her 15 grandchildren: Justin and wife Mercedes Rugaard of Orange City, Iowa, Shelbie and husband Brandon Akers of Exira, Iowa, Cole Mennenoh of Ames, Iowa, Wade and wife Bre Mennenoh of Ross, Iowa, Jeffery Holbrook of Grand Junction, Colorado, Jeremy Rugaard and Jackson Rugaard both of Parachute, Colorado, Clayton Rugaard and Carter Rugaard both of Hamlin, Iowa, Whitney Munch and friend Ryan Stone of McKinney, Texas, Westly Borkowski, Layne Borkowski, Karli Burger, Kadi Burger, and Loreli Burger all of Hamlin, Iowa; her 6 great grandchildren: Zachary Clark, Caden Akers, Evan Akers, Greysen Akers, Axlie Akers, and Haisley Mennenoh; her sisters and brothers Carol and husband Richard Lenning of Blue Springs, Missouri, Robert and wife Judy Ruhs of Audubon, Rev. Annette and husband Rev. David Kruse of Atkins, Iowa, and John and Amy Ruhs of Kuna, Idaho, her sisters-in-law Karen Boyd of Allerton, Iowa, Kathy and husband Rick Bancroft and Sue Rugaard all of Audubon; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.