Obituary - Donna Lou Ruff

Donna Lou Ruff, 85, passed away Wednesday, November 20, 2024, of natural causes in Havre, Montana.

Her memorial service was held Saturday, November 23, 2024, at the First Lutheran Church in Havre with Pastor Megan Hoewisch officiating.

Memorial contributions in Donna’s honor may be made to The Salvation Army.

Please visit Donna’s online memorial page at https://www.hollandbonine.com to send a card or leave a message of condolence for her family.

Donna was born September 21, 1939, in Whitefish, Montana, to Carmen and Evelyn (Fjelstad) Anderson. When she was a young girl, her family moved to Havre, Montana where Donna was raised and educated, graduating from Havre High School.

After graduation she married Milton Johnson and, together, they raised four children, Marcia, Mark, Michael, and Mitchell. She enjoyed staying home and raising her children.

Donna and Milton later divorced.

Donna went to work at the Columbia Paint store in Havre for a few years, then opened Just Plain Janes Beauty Shop where she leased out spots to cosmetologists. She operated that salon for many years before selling.

She had been friends with Delmer Ruff for years and the couple married in 1971 and joined their two families. Donna gained three children: a son, Ed and two daughters, Sandy and Tracy.

Donna made her home on the farm with Delmer and the two enjoyed traveling, antiquing, dancing, hosting holiday dinners for the family and spending the fourth of July at Whitefish Lake. An excellent cook and baker staying true to her Norwegian heritage, Donna would bake lefse, sandbakelse, krumkaker and made a delicious potato salad.

Donna was never one to sit idle, she stayed busy whether she was running the household, or buying and selling antiques with Delmer’s help. While helping Delmer run the farm she was also an excellent salesperson at both local department and jewelry stores.

She and Delmer were members of the Elk’s and spent a lot of time in years past with great friends.

The highlight of Donna’s life were her grandchildren and later her great-grandchildren; she enjoyed spending time with them at her home on the farm, their adventures when she would go visit them were treasured memories .

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Carroll and Greg Anderson, sisters, Patricia Barger and Diane Campbell, daughter Tracy Sandman, son-in-law Richard Wood and step-brothers Lynn and Max Melby.

Donna is survived by her husband of 53 years, Delmer Ruff; children, Mark Johnson, Michael (Megan) Johnson, Mitchell Johnson, Marcia (Greg) Durward, Edward (Shari) Ruff and Sandra Wood; 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; numerous extended family and life-long friends.