Donna Rudat

Donna Mae Rudat (nee. Nitz), 90, of Crystal Lake, IL, passed away peacefully on October 11, 2025 in Madison, Wi. Donna was born at home on May 1, 1935, in Elgin, IL, the daughter of Perley and Ester (nee. Frost) Nitz. She grew up in a large loving family, the eldest daughter of 7 brothers and 3 sisters.

She graduated from Elgin High School and attended Elgin Community College and McHenry County College. She married Donald A. Rudat on April 30, 1960 in Crystal Lake, IL. They lived in Elgin, IL until 1966 when they built a home on a parcel of the Rudat Farm and named the road Rudat Court now lovingly known to the family as "The Court". They raised four children there, Donette, Donald Jr., Todd and Beth.

She worked for Illinois Bell in Elgin and Geneva, IL for 10 years. She was both a teacher and later secretary for the Thunderbird Farm School in Cary, IL and the Thunderbird Nursery School in Crystal Lake for 28 years. She was an active and involved mom who volunteered and gave of herself to family, friends and community . She was an accomplished seamstress sewing clothes, costumes and prom dresses. She was a member and taught Sunday school at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Crystal Lake, IL. She was a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader for over 25 years. She served as the treasurer for the American Little League, was a member and social secretary for the Sherman Hospital Auxiliary, volunteered at the Sherman Resale Shop, did fundraising for Crystal Lake Ambutal, knitted scarves, hats, gloves and baby blankets for the community shelter and prayer shawls for the church.

Donna loved gardening, canning, baking, crafting and reading. She was very creative and resourceful and shared her gifts with many. She loved watching and feeding the birds in her yard and amassed an impressive owl collection. Next time you hear an owl hoot please think of her as she may be visiting. The thing she loved most was spending time with her grandsons Tristan, Trevor and Trey. She made use of technology to stay connected and enjoyed watching her grandsons attend church in Edmond, OK via Facebook Live. She also enjoyed reading books with Trey over the phone. Always a teacher, she could be heard coaching and guiding them lovingly as they grew up.

She is survived by her children, Donette (Brian) Beattie, Donald Rudat Jr., Todd (Sheila) Rudat and Beth Rudat, her grandchildren Tristan, Trevor and Trey Rudat, her brother Gale (Olivia "Lee") Nitz. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Donald Rudat, sisters Pearl (Angie) Michaelis, Lavonne Mullinax, Karen Myers and brothers Perley, Elroy, Earl, Victor, William (Bill), Gerald (Jerry) and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

A private interment service will be held in the Spring in Crystal Lake, IL. In keeping with her giving spirit, donations may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, 300 Pathway Ct. Crystal Lake, IL 60014 or St. Mark Lutheran Church, 1501 N. Bryant Ave, Edmond, OK 73034 or your local shelter or food pantry