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Donna Jean Wruck, 81, passed away on July 13, 2026, at Baptist Health & Rehab in Bismarck, North Dakota.

A memorial service will be held at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Leipzig, ND; at 10:00 AM (MDT), on August 1st 2026. A Celebration of Life gathering, will be held at the New Leipzig Community Center following the church service.  A private family burial will commence following the community gathering.

Donna was born on March 16, 1945, at the Elgin Hospital to Reinhold and Lydia (Wegner) Hintz. She was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Leipzig, North Dakota, and attended New Leipzig Public School, graduating with the Class of 1963. During high school she was a cheerleader, and she made friendships that lasted a lifetime.

On December 31st 1973, she married William (Bill) Wruck; and together they built a life they were proud of. Mom worked alongside Dad through planting and harvest; and the most bitter of winter months. She kept a tidy home, vegetable and beautiful flower gardens, raised her family, and somehow always found time to help someone else. She wasn't happy unless she was busy.

She is survived by William (Bill) Wruck; her children, Cheryl (Rick) Holmen, Douglas Juras, Jeff Wruck, and Billi Jo (Aaron) Ramsdell; grandchildren Brent Gaugler, Brock Gaugler, Stephanie Gaugler (Eric Losing), Ashton (Michael) Callan, Jordan (Hannah) Wruck, Jade Wruck and his fiancé Jordan Seelye, Jaxson Wruck, Joel Wruck, Ayden Ramsdell, and Lydia Ramsdell; great-grandchildren Willow Van Tongren-Gaugler, Charli Gaugler-Losing, Bridger Wruck,  Sterling Wruck, McKinlee Seelye, Raelynn Seelye, and Easton Seelye; her sister, Kathy Hintz; brother, Dave Hintz; Aunt Gertie Werner; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Robert and Kenneth Hintz; and her sister, Erna "Toots" Ellison.

Our family would also like to recognize Cheryl and Doug's extended family in Richmond and throughout Michigan. Mom loved you dearly, and we know how much you loved her in return.

Mom learned the value of hard work at an early age, and she carried it with her throughout her life. She helped on the family farm, cultivated and plowed summer fallow, drove grain trucks during harvest, and never hesitated to pitch in wherever she was needed. Later, she cared for others while working at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Mott and Missouri Slope in Bismarck. Families often shared how much her kindness meant to them- it was simply who she was.

Those who knew Mom as a young girl remember that same caring person. She was always willing to lend a hand, share what she had, help the other girls with their hair, and fill every gathering with laughter. She never sought attention and never thought she was anyone special. She just enjoyed making others feel welcome.

If she wasn't in the field, there was a good chance she was outside "putzing" in her flowers or tending the garden. She loved watching things grow and took pride in raising vegetables that would feed our family all winter long. Harvest meant canning apples, plums, chokecherries, tomatoes, and cucumbers with her mother Lydia and Mother-in-law Selma. Every spring, fresh lemons and oranges from Arizona were juiced and frozen so there would always be homemade lemonade on hot summer days.

The kitchen was another place where Mom showed her love. Our family always looked forward to her strudels and pork ribs, chicken and dumplings, meatballs and mashed potatoes, chocolate chip cookies, lemon meringue pie, and apple crisp. Nobody ever left her table hungry.

Mom enjoyed bowling, shooting pool, playing darts, a good game of pinochle or rummy; whether it was with neighbors, family, or the grandkids. Winning was fun, but spending time together was the most fun.

Mom and Dad also loved taking drives through the countryside, checking the crops, looking at cattle, and just enjoying the day together. Summer vacations to the Black Hills, Yellowstone and Big Sky Montana were something we always looked forward to.

The winter holidays always ensured us to spend time with our cousins, aunts and uncles.  Talk about a feast! Our family sure knew how to cook, with everyone bringing their own special something to the table.  We took turns on the snowmobiles with our cousins, blazing through the pasture land and on the frozen ice of the Cannonball River. We never seemed to have enough sleds or toboggans to fly down our snow-covered hills. So, as cousins are known to do; we just fought over them! We can still hear Uncle Kenny's voice yelling to us across the pasture; "You kids knock it off, or there's going to be trouble!"  After we all had too much to eat, the parents played cards while we cousins got into more mischief.  Whether the holidays were at the Hintz farm south of NL, Aunt Kathy's in Bismarck, Aunt Toot's in Lemmon, Grandma Hintz's in NL, Uncle Sam's farm, or Gertie and Ester's in Elgin; we always took the time to gather as a family.

Mom was one of New Leipzig/Elgin's biggest fans. Whether she was in the stands, listening on the radio, watching on television, or following along on her tablet, she rarely missed a football or basketball game. She was proud of our hometown and loved cheering loud for the team.

She never forgot a birthday or anniversary, and always kept in touch with family and friends; via messenger, text, voice message or that ever special phone call. She was known for sending weather updates before the storms rolled in. It was her way of letting everyone know she was thinking about them.

Those who knew Mom will remember a woman who never looked for attention. She was kind, dependable, hardworking, and always willing to help. She found happiness in simple things—a garden in bloom, a card game around the kitchen table, a drive through the country, and having her family together.

We will miss her every day, but we are thankful for the life she lived and the example she set. The traditions she started, the meals she shared, the work she did, the love she gave; will remain with us always. We love you, Mom. Thank you for everything. May God hold you in His loving arms until we meet again.