Donna M. Rutz

Donna M. Rutz, 83, of Rockford, passed away peacefully in her home on Sunday, March 20, 2016 with her loving family at her side. She was born in Argyle, Wisconsin, on March 3, 1933 to parents, Joseph and Helen (Lunde) O’Rourke. Donna married her husband Robert Rutz in Rockford at Our Saviors Lutheran Church on March 21, 1952. They first laid eyes upon one another at the Green County Fair in the beer tent and they never looked back. Donna worked for many years at the Bagel Place where she loved visiting with the customers. She was also a longtime member of Daughters of the Nile and Alabet Temple No. 31. When she wasn’t working she was attending her granddaughter’s sporting events. Donna was the matriarch of the family. Her experience made her wise, her love made her strong, and her devotion was to her family. She loved to garden and plant flowers in her yard and was a fantastic cook. Her Christmas cookies were worth fighting for, her lasagna was second to none, and her Thanksgiving dinner was always the highlight of the year. In her final days Donna had trouble with her sight. When Bob asked if she knew who he was, Donna replied without hesitation, “You are my love”. We will remember her for many things and in many ways, but above all, we will remember her love and incredible devotion to each of us.

She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Bob Rutz; children, Sharon (Al) Bain and Linda Rutz; granddaughters, Jenny (Brad Stallings) Smith-Caiozzo, Kara (David Harmon) Smith, and Lindsay (Shawn) O’Brien; great grandchildren, Dylan Stallings, Sullivan O’Brien, and Beckett Smith; siblings, Richard O’Rourke, Patricia Dobbs, and Chuck (Linda) O’Rourke; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Donna is predeceased by her parents.

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 PM on Saturday, March 26, 2016 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL, 61108. Pastor Pam Lojewski will be officiating the service. Visitation will be from 3:30 PM until time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Rutz Family. To share memories or condolences online, please visitwww.fitzgeraldfh.com