Obituary of Donna "Ruth" Van Holtz

On Friday, January 13, 2023, Donna “Ruth” Van Holtz, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother passed away at the age of 83.  

Ruth was born on December 31, 1939, in Mottville, New York to Lillian Ruth Curtis and Donald Wilford Rusaw, Sr. On March 1, 1959, she married the love of her life, William Hurley “Bill Van Holtz. They raised four children, two daughters, Cindy, and Wendy, and two sons, Billy and Kenny.  

Ruth was a great wife and an amazing mother. She raised the children in New York running a tackle bait shop, where they would go fishing, swimming, and enjoy going sliding in the snow down the hills. She loves to spend time with her family. She was and always will be an amazing grandmother and great grandmother. Many of us have memories that will forever be in our hearts. One of the great memories that many of us had with her is the first year they lived in Pecos, New Mexico. We have the best Christmas with everyone in the family. We all stayed the night together and we woke up Christmas day. We went to the living room and they were gifts covering every spot, we are so happy to spend that time together and a great memory.  

Ruth loved to be outside, she was always watering her garden, sitting on the deck with her hummingbirds, and going fishing with her husband. They were always on adventures together, exploring the world, and meeting new people. She never had doors closed, and her family or friends were always welcome. Ruth was the most loving, knowledgeable, and giving woman we will know. She has taught so many family traditions that will never be forgotten. 

Ruth was preceded in death by her grandparents, mother, father, brother, Butch Rusaw, and great grandson, Leland Valdez. She is survived by her husband Bill, four children, Billy, Cindy, Kenny, and Wendy, her sister, Lynn Marie Rusaw, seven grandchildren, Kayla, Stephanie, Tabetha, Stacy, Rachel, Hurley, and Rebecca, and her 12 great grandchildren. Her baby Rainey “cat”. 

 We will love you forever and you will always be in our hearts. We love our guardian angel. 

Now she flies with the hummingbirds. 
 

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