Janice Marie (Donahue) Rucker is on to her next adventure, having passed on July 22, 2025 at the age of 91.   A Prayer Service will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 12:00 PM at Nasinec Funeral Home in Wells.  Time to greet the family will be from 10:30 AM-12:00 PM at the funeral home.  Burial will be private.  Your thoughtfulness is appreciated, the family is requesting in lieu of flowers and plants, memorials be directed in honor of Janice Rucker to Shepherd’s Inn Assisted Living, Wells, St. Casimir Catholic Church, Wells, and St. Luke’s Lutheran Care Center, Blue Earth.

Mom entered this world on December 23, 1933 in Mankato, MN and grew up with her four brothers in Janesville, MN. During her childhood, mom developed her fondness for dogs and as the only girl in a family of five, she was often drafted into football and other “boy’s” games which were played on the Donahue’s large lawn. Her first jobs were babysitting, detasseling corn and cleaning for a neighbor in need who referred to mom as her life-saver. Always an eager learner, she graduated as valedictorian of the Janesville High School Class of 1951.

Mom’s dream of a career in nursing became a reality when she was awarded a full scholarship for having the highest score in St. Mary’s School of Nursing’s entrance exam and graduating as a registered nurse in 1953. While in nursing school, she met a handsome bartender named Dale Rucker at The Pub, which he operated with his dad and brothers at the end of the Miracle Mile Mall. After working a few years at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, she moved to Wells. Mom and dad were married on May 5, 1956, settling in a small apartment before building their home on 7th Ave in Wells where they raised five children.

As a nurse at the Wells Municipal Hospital for 38 years, mom worked nights and took pride in the hard work and independence that was expected of the nursing staff. Mom loved being outside, taking canoe trips, sunbathing, picnicking, playing tennis, walking her dogs, and swimming. She also loved to travel taking trips to Hawaii, the Bahamas, Spain, Ireland, France, Egypt, many big cities in the states and her favorite Mexican destination of Cancun. She had a passion for antiques, loved to read and do crossword puzzles and spent countless hours crocheting afghans for family and friends.

Mom always gave of herself volunteering for The American Cancer Society as the county chairperson of Daffodil Days, Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota Child and Family Services, St. Theresa Circle, St. Casimir Church and School, Faribault County Guardian ad Litem services.

Her five children will miss her dearly: Mike (Amy) Rucker, Lake Wilson, MN; Matt (Janet) Rucker, Comfrey, MN; Martha (Steve) Guthmiller, Hawley, MN; Meg (Dave) Brew, Appleton, WI; and Ned (Tracy) Rucker, New Hartford, IA. She was also blessed with 14 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She is further survived by her dearly beloved brothers Jim (Sharon) Donahue and John Donahue, and sisters-in-law Marlene Donahue and Delma Bateman.

Mom will be warmly welcomed in heaven by her loving husband of 45 years, Dale, who died in 2001. Alongside him will be her brother Bob Donahue and his wife, Ann Donahue, her brother Mike Donahue, her brothers- and sisters-in-law Eddy and Betty Rucker, Chuck and Bess Rucker.

We would like to extend a sincere thank you to all that cared for our mom during her years at The Shepherd’s Inn Assisted Living in Wells, MN, The Mankato Eye Clinic, United Hospital District and St. Luke’s Lutheran Care Center in Blue Earth, MN. Our mom was treated with dignity and respect with every step she took on her journey with dementia. Your kindness was so comforting and will not be forgotten.

We love you mom and hope you are enjoying warm sunny skies on the beach after an exciting tennis match and a dip in the pool.