Donna M. Branch (1931-2021)

RUCHOTZKE, BRANCH, GILCHRIST, KLATT, LECHTENERG, PETT, MEYER, LEWIS, CHARLES

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 8/17/2021 at 09:45:46

Donna M. Branch (Ruchotzke), 90, died Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021, at Country Manor in Davenport, Iowa. A celebration of life and faith will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowden, Iowa, 801 Washington Ave. The family will greet visitors at 10 a.m. prior to the service. A burial will follow at the Lowden Cemetery.

Donna was born on April 16, 1931, in Lowden to August and Ella Ruchotzke. She earned her teaching certificate at Iowa State Teacher's College in Cedar Falls, Iowa (UNI), and was given her first teaching position as a third-grade teacher in Central City, Iowa. It was there, at a high school basketball game against Coggon, that she met the love of her life, Willard "Bill" Branch. She and Bill were married at Trinity Lutheran in Lowden on June 8, 1952, and were blessed with 68 years of marriage until his death this past December 2020. Donna resided in Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa, for 57 years.

Donna worked and taught in various capacities and positions throughout her life. Her love for education and reading culminated in her position as store manager of Zondervan Family Bookstore until her retirement. Most importantly, she was a devoted wife, mother, homemaker, grandmother, aunt and friend to many. Donna was a faithful and dedicated lifelong member of the Lutheran Church, 56 years at Holy Cross in Davenport. She was a longtime member of Lutheran Women's Missionary League and Altruistic Guild, a Sunday School teacher, and many other positions of service within her own church and the Iowa District East.

Donna is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Jennifer Gilchrist of Davenport, Susan Klatt of Tulsa, Okla., Jill and Wally Lechtenberg of Marion, Iowa, and Mary and Paul Pett of Green Bay, Wis.; grandchildren, Tom (Amber) Henry, Steve Gilchrist, Ed (Carrie) Gilchrist, Josh Gilchrist, Nicole Gilchrist, Emilie (Greg) Meyer, Andy (Charli) Lewis, Nathan (Katie) Lewis, Maggie Lewis, Ryan Pett, Wesley Pett and Abbie (Chris) Charles; numerous great-grandchildren; as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband and their son, Michael Branch; her parents; siblings, Irene, LeRoy, Vera, Wilfred and Wilbert; along with her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

On behalf of our entire family, thank you to the staff of Country Manor and Compassus Hospice Team for making Donna's last days memorable and peaceful. We are grateful for the professional and sensitive manner in which their services and care are administered to their clients and families.

Memorials can be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, Lowden, Iowa.

Online condolences may be left to Donna's family at www.wheelanpressly.com .