Donovan John Ruesink

Donovan John Ruesink, 87, of Cherry Grove, passed away peacefully at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minn., on June 13, 2021. Donovan was born October 28, 1933, in Cresco, Iowa, to Mildred (Mensink) and Dale Ruesink, the oldest of three boys. Donnie attended grade school in rural Cherry Grove and graduated from Wykoff High School in 1951. He married his high school sweetheart, Marlys Nordhorn of Wykoff, Minn., on October 19, 1952. Donovan and Marlys farmed with his father and then bought the farm in Cherry Grove in 1964 and farmed throughout their lives. They brought four children into the world: David Ruesink, Diane (William) Wojtkiewicz, Danae (David) Gaio, and Danny (Kristi) Ruesink. Donnie adored his six grandchildren: Christa (Kent) Krause, Lindsey (Matthew) Olson, Marissa (Josh) Bazey, Brody Ruesink, Jayme (Kyle) Cochran, and Brooke (Troy) Gilbertson; and 10 beloved great-grandchildren: Tommy, Jonny, Addison, Delaney, Alexis, Maya, Maisie, Avery, Ellison, and Tayden. He is also survived by his brother Odell (Joan) Ruesink.

Donovan was a lifelong farmer. He was hardworking, community minded, and kind. He loved animals and in his lifetime on the farm raised cattle, pigs, horses, chickens, pigeons, rabbits, sheep, and one naughty donkey he named Helmer. He was a phenomenal gardener and grower and a tinkerer who could make something out of anything. He loved taking his kids and grandkids out to help on the farm. He farmed until 2000, when he retired and took on a rural Post Bulletin paper route. He served his community, and spent many years on the Spring Valley School Board and the Central Livestock Association board in South Saint Paul; he was a Forestville Township election judge and fire marshall, and he spent 30 years as the sexton at the Cherry Grove cemetery. In his free time, Donnie loved watching the Minnesota Vikings and Twins, doing puzzles, reading westerns, and being with his family. Donnie was caring, honest, patient, wise, adventurous, friendly, and strong.

Donnie was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Keith, an infant son, his nephew Rodney, and his father and mother in-law William and Linda Nordhorn. He will be dearly missed by his wife Marlys, his children and grandchildren, and numerous other family and friends.

A private family memorial will take place later this month and Donovan will be laid to rest at the Cherry Grove Cemetery.