Donna Jean Rust went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, in Springfield, MO.  She was born in Aberdeen, South Dakota, on July 4, 1940, to Maynard and Evelyn Sholts. She is survived by her husband Edward Rust; her children, Brenda (Randy) Matthies, Andrea (Sam) Steinert, Melissa (Mick) Fort, and Becca (Wayne) Rust; 11 Grandchildren; Jennifer (Shane) Pitzl, Erik (Veronica) Rust, E. Matthies, Jacob (Amanda) Matthies, Brandon (Tammy) Matthies, Josie Rust, Jadyn Rust, Tyler Rust, Brianna Pearson, Blake Maegi, and Courtney Rust;15 Great Grandchildren, and four Nieces.  Donna is also survived by her brother, Jerry Sholts. She is preceded in death by her two sons, Randel Rust and Shawn Rust.

Donna was raised in Bismarck, North Dakota, a hometown that she loved and often spoke about her many memories there. She played the flute and piccolo in high school and was the first person in her high school to play in the Bismarck Symphony. After marrying Edward on April 4, 1959, they moved to Minnesota, where they raised six children. She received a degree in addiction counseling and worked as a licensed counselor for the State of Minnesota, where her passion was to help people find recovery and restoration. She loved making her home a special place to gather where she entertained and cooked for her large family. In her later years, she thrived in gardening, growing flowers, and cherished taking care of her hummingbirds. Her love for God shined brightly. She and Ed had been together 68 years. Donna was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend; a caregiver and encourager, whose sweet and beautiful spirit will be sorely missed.