Donna Rutkowski passed away on May 14, 2025, in her home, surrounded by family. She was 84.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at Hooper & Weaver Mortuary in Nevada City, CA at 9 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 10 a.m. Interment will be at 1:00 p.m. at the Happy Homstead Cemetery in South Lake Tahoe, CA. A celebration of life will take place at 5 p.m. at her home.

Donna was born on July 15, 1940, in Cleveland, OH to William and Anita Mellinger. She married Sgt. Thomas Rutkowski on April 4, 1959, in formal military rites at First Lutheran Church of Ventura, CA. Together they raised two children, Tom and Chrys, who in turn gave them seven grandchildren, who then gave them 13 great-grandchildren.

Donna loved spending time with her family. She was a masterful chef and baker who taught her kids and grandkids everything she knew. She enjoyed crafting, floral design, needle point, and shopping with her granddaughters.

She was loved and valued beyond measure by her family and friends. Everyone who met her was warmly welcomed into her heart and treated as family. She will carry on in the hearts of the many lives she touched and will be missed by all.

She is survived by her brother, Bruce (Jalena) Mellinger; her son, Tom (Sara) Rutkowski; her daughter, Chrys (Jerry) Roper; her grandchildren, Tawnya (Shayne) Masse, Kaitlin (Robert) Purvis, Luke (Lexi) Roper; Rey Lynne (Quinton) James, Addie (Anthony) Oliveras, Carlie Rutkowski, and Clayton Rutkowski; her nieces, Tiffany Gilden, Trena Mellinger; her nephew, Luke (Emily) Mellinger; and her 13 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Anita Mellinger; her husband, Thomas Rutkowski; and her brother-in-law, Joseph Wojtowicz.

Memorial contributions may be made to any Alzheimer’s programs that research and fight this awful disease.

Arrangements are under the direction of Hooper & Weaver Mortuary.