Donna Marie Houseman

Donna Houseman, age 99 of Plymouth, MN formerly of Cottage Grove, MN passed away peacefully on June 12, 2025.

Memorial service will be 11 AM on Friday, July 11, 2025 at Kok Funeral Home, 7676 80th Street S., Cottage Grove with visitation one hour prior from 10-11 AM. Refreshments and cookies will be served after the service followed by interment at the Cottage Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Donna was born May 20, 1926 in Fargo, ND to Leonard and Eunice (Brattland) Ruud. She later attended St. Luke's nursing school to become a Registered Nurse. She met the love of her life Frederick "Bud" Houseman and they were united in marriage on September 12,1945. They moved to California in the late 1940s spending quite a few years there before moving back to Fargo, ND in the late 1950s. It was in 1962 that they settled into Cottage Grove making their forever home. Donna worked at Divine Redeemer Memorial Hospital upon it's opening as a Pediatric RN spending the remainder of her career there until her retirement.

Donna found great joy in creating photo albums, scrapbooking, tending to her garden, quilting, knitting and being involved in her church. During the summer, she could often be seen riding her lawn mower, cutting the grass well into her 88th year. Donna passed on cherished traditions like teaching her grandchildren how to make lefse. She treasured family gatherings, always making sure everyone stayed connected and well-fed by her wonderful baking. Her family was her greatest joy, and she loved them deeply. Donna, also known as "Great GraDonna", by Emmalyn will be profoundly missed by all. Donna is survived by her son Cory (Judy) Houseman; grandchildren Eric (Krystal) Houseman and Kelsey (Greg) Thomes; great-granddaughter Emmalyn Thomes; sister-in-law Shirley Ruud; niece Fern Ollerenshaw as well as many other nieces, nephews and extended family.

Donna is preceded in death by her husband Frederick "Bud" Houseman; siblings Richard Ruud and Joyce (Edwin) Noel; parents Leonard and Eunice (Brattland) Ruud and Roy Ollerenshaw.

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