Donna Dally

Donna Mae Dally (Ruckdaschel) passed away in the early morning of May 15, 2025, at Bethany Good Samaritan at the age of 86.

Donna was born on April 10, 1939, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Brainerd, to Harley Earl and Ruby Mae (Wasink) Ruckdaschel. She went to Pillager school from kindergarten to 8th grade. She married Duane Dally – who passed away in September 2001. She lived in Pillager for many years, then moved to an apartment in Brainerd, then to Brainerd Manor, to the Almond House and finally to Bethany Good Samaritan. Donna worked at St. Josephs Hospital in the dietary department for 32 years.

Donna loved to go fishing with Duane, hunting deer, going out to eat, and socializing at the bar (sometimes being kicked out for getting a little too wild). She farmed with her mother, father and brother. She loved the farm life and the animals, especially roosters – (cue the crow). Donna had difficulty driving but loved to drive.

Donna attended church for years at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Pequot Lakes.

Donna is preceded in death by her parents, Harley Earl Ruckdaschel and Ruby Mae (Wasink) Ruckdaschel; husband, Duane; brother, Earl Alfred Ruckdaschel; and siblings John and Geneva (who passed as infants in 1936). She is survived by her nephews, Earl Holly Ruckdaschel (59 years old) (Cherri), and Elliott Doyle Ruckdaschel (57 years old); grandchildren, Aryel Inez Ruckdaschel (31 years old), Brock Elliott Ruckdaschel (27 years old), Brady Gray Ruckdaschel (32 years old), and Alex Mathew Ruckdaschel (28 years old).

A service will be held on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 11am at the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel in Baxter. Visitation will take place one hour prior.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Baxter.