Donna Rae Nutsch

Donna Rae Dewey Nutsch passed away, surrounded by her family, on September 6, 2025, in Cary, North Carolina. She was 92 years old. She was born April 19, 1933, to Lyle Clarkson Dewey and Oma Sand Dewey on the family farm located in Highland Township in Hollenberg, Kansas. After graduating from Morrowville High School, she worked for Bell Telephone in Marysville, Kansas; Elgin Watch Company in Lincoln, Nebraska; and Shell Oil Company in Denver, Colorado. She retired from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1995.

Donna married the late James (Jim) Nutsch on July 26, 1959. After living in Homestead, Florida; Washington, Kansas; Lawrence, Kansas; and Rialto, California, Donna and Jim settled in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1972. In 2013, Donna moved to Apex, North Carolina, to be closer to family.

She enjoyed the company of many friends in her condominium complex, community center in Apex and later at her assisted living home in Cary. Donna had four grandsons whom she loved dearly and was always eager to talk about. She is remembered by all who knew her as kind, gentle, loving, positive, and compassionate, with a wonderful sense of humor.

She is predeceased by her parents, husband, brother Delbert Dewey, sister Nyla Stanton, and brother Marvin Dewey. Left to cherish her memory are her son, James (J.G.) Nutsch (Elizabeth) of Zebulon, North Carolina; daughter, Jana Gelm (John) of Apex, North Carolina; grandchildren, Chad Nutsch of Miami, Florida, Ryan Nutsch of Denton, Texas, Jack Gelm (Chloe) of San Antonio, Texas, Joseph Gelm of Charlotte, North Carolina; brother-in-law Bruce Stanton of Fairbury, Nebraska; and many nieces and nephews.

Our family would like to thank Gaby Jimenez, the wonderful staff at Brookdale MacArthur Park Assisted Living, and Transitions LifeCare for their caring support during her final years with us. Please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association, a cause dear to our mother’s heart.

A graveside service will be held for Donna on Sunday, September 21, at 1:00 p.m. at the Morrowville Cemetery.