In loving memory of

Donna M. Rutenbeck
August 30, 1931 - August 28, 2019

Donna M. Rutenbeck, 87, of Baldwin, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday morning, August 28, 2019, at her home.

A celebration of her life will be held at 1:30 P.M., Saturday, August 31, 2019, at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa, Iowa. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 11:30 A.M. to 1 P.M. at the funeral home. Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery, Maquoketa, Iowa.

Donna Mae Buck wa s born on August 30, 1931 at the family farm near Monmouth, Iowa, to Albert Otto and Esther Ida (Bock) Buck. She was a 1948 graduate of Monmouth High School and then attended AIC Business School in Davenport, Iowa. She married Alan Pangborn Rutenbeck on June 9, 1950 in Iowa City, Iowa. To this union four children were born: Jeanne, Joan, Lynne and Lee.

Donna worked various jobs in her lifetime, but her true calling was being a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

She was a member of various card clubs and the Baldwin/Monmouth Faith United Methodist Church. She enjoyed baking; wheat bread, cinnamon rolls, and cookies were some of her specialties. She also enjoyed sewing and was an accomplished seamstress. She was proud of her family and loved attending their sporting and music events. Additionally, she loved the Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears and all Maquoketa Cardinal sports.

Those left to honor her memory include her husband, Alan Rutenbeck of Baldwin, IA; children, Jeanne (Rob) Christensen of Marshalltown, IA, Joan (Dave) Etringer of Beloit, WI, Lynne (Bill) Edleman of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Lee Rutenbeck of Maquoketa, IA; numerous grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and three nieces, Sue Broderson, Joy Eichhorn and Jan Bahnsen. She was preceded in death by her parents, and a sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Bill Reed.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to Hospice of Jackson County or the Baldwin/Monmouth Faith United Methodist Church.

Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.

Tributes

Jean Mayfield wrote on Feb 14, 2020:

"Miss your laugh still, Donna"

Sue (Kasemodel) Nelson wrote on Oct 5, 2019:

"What a wonderful video for the family to remember Donna by. Sorry for your loss "

Michelle Maze Hughes wrote on Sep 3, 2019:

"Lynne, Lee, Jeanne, Joan & Family, We were so sorry to hear that your Mom and Grandma had passed! Please accept our deepest condolences. Michelle (Maze) and Mark Hughes"

Diane Haylock wrote on Aug 30, 2019:

"Donna was such a beautiful angel on Earth now she is a beautiful angel in heaven with extra large wings. I was Donna's caretaker since February of this year but I feel like I've known her for years. I will miss her laughter when we would watch Funniest Home Videos every Sunday night. She left me with so many memories. She adored her husband Allen and when her family stopped in she would just light up. I was so lucky to have gotten to care for Donna. I will miss her so so much."

Julie Davis wrote on Aug 30, 2019:

"An amazing lady I was so blessed to know always loved her smile and laugh. A wonderful woman who lived her life with God first then family. A wonderful couple so blessed our lives connected. Thoughts and prayers sent Julie (Mattox) Davis"

Kelly Eckelberg wrote on Aug 30, 2019:

"I had the pleasure of being Donnas caretaker since May of last year. Donna had a way of making everyone feel important. She was such a loving, warm hearted lady who will be truly missed by so many!! I'll miss my hug in the morning and that laugh and smile that was so contagious. Donna made me a better person. I used to call her "My Angel On Earth", now she's an angel in heaven. Fly high my beautiful Donna until we meet again. "

Kelly Eckelberg wrote on Aug 30, 2019:

"I had the pleasure of being Donnas caretaker since May of last year. Donna was such a kind hearted, loving lady. Donna had a way of making everyone feel important and welcomed. When I would wake her in the morning, after our usual hug, she would ask "Where's my hubby?" She loved her husband, Alan, so very much. She loved her family and they loved her! She made me a better person. I miss her so much! I used to call her an angel on earth, now she's an angel in heaven. Fly High My Beautiful Donna until we meet again. "

Phil Tabor wrote on Aug 30, 2019:

"Alan and family, Nancy and I will be gone this weekend. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. So many great Baldwin memories!!!! Phil Tabor"

Jody Clasen wrote on Aug 29, 2019:

"Hugs and prayers to the family. Donna and Alan were the best neighbors growing up! Lots of fun, happy memories! Donna will always hold a special ml place in my heart. ?"

Jody Clasen wrote on Aug 29, 2019:

"Leave a memory or words of condolence for family and friends"

Jody Clasen wrote on Aug 29, 2019:

"Hugs and prayers to the family..best neighbor ever!? I remember spending lots of time at Donna and Alan's when I was young...lots of happy, fun memories. Donna will always hold a special place in my heart."

Jean Mayfield wrote on Aug 29, 2019:

"I will miss Donna's laugh while watching funny home videos. She loved to laugh. She thought the world of her husband Alan & her kids & family. She made everyone feel welcome in her home. I loved being her caregiver, I will truly miss her. "

Steve & Cindy Daniels wrote on Aug 29, 2019:

"So sorry to hear of Donna's passing. Always had a beautiful smile. Our thoughts and prayers are with you."

Marilyn Ruggeberg wrote on Aug 29, 2019:

"She was a Sweet Lady. So sorry for your loss. "

Carl and Susan Devine Keeney. wrote on Aug 29, 2019:

"Mrs Rutenbeck was so sweet and kind. When I would visit their home with my classmate Jeanne Rutenbeck , she was so welcoming. With joy for a life well lived and for the lives she and her family members touched we are grateful. Susan Devine Keeney and the MCHS class of 1969. "

Connie Bonney wrote on Aug 29, 2019:

"To the family, i have lots of great memories of this lady, when i was growing up in Monmouth area..Always a smile on her face and a friendly greeting.. So very sorry for you're loss, please know you are in my thoughts."

Vicki Krantz Shock wrote on Aug 29, 2019:

"So sorry to hear of Donna's passing, my thoughts and prayers are with you all! Vicki Krantz-Shock "

Richard and Pep Tracy wrote on Aug 29, 2019:

"Alan and Family so sorry to hear of Donna's passing.........she was a very special lady. You all are in our thoughts and prayers. RIP Donna"