Donna Kay Ruhff, 76, passed away peacefully at her Harvard home on April 15, 2023.
Donna was born in 1946, in Walworth. She was the oldest of four children and attended St. Andrews Catholic School, then on to graduate in 1964 from Delavan-Darien High School. She attended University of Wisconsin-Madison and graduated with a degree in nursing in 1967.
Donna met the love of her life, Ray “Butch” Ruhff and they married soon thereafter in 1968. She began her nursing career in Rockford, Illinois, at Swedish American Hospital, where she invested 20-plus years working the overnight shift, so that she could be home during the day to watch her growing family.
Rounding out her career, Donna worked at Sheltering Oak Nursing Home and Mercy Harvard Hospital. In her free time, she loved to spoil her pet dogs and decorate their home with collectibles.
Donna is preceded in death by her mother, Gwen.
She is survived by her devoted and loving husband Raymond Ruhff Jr.; son, Chris Ruhff; daughter, Diane (Scott) O’Brien; granddaughters, Cassi (Jaime) Esminger and Alyssa O’Brien. Also survived by her brothers, Richard and Wayne; and sister, Benita.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her honor to Mercyhealth Hospice.
Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.saundersmcfarlin.net.
