Donrose M. Sharkey

Rugby

Donrose (Donna) M. Sharkey passed away at her home at The Heart of America Care Center Rugby, ND on Thursday July 11, 2024.

Donrose was born August 9, 1930 to Wendel and Christine (Haman) Vetsch. She was raised on the family farm near Berwick. After graduation from Towner High School, she earned an associate degree in banking, and later graduated as a Medical Technician. She was employed at the VA hospital in Fargo and then at the NDSU Research Lab/National Institute of Public Health.

In 1954 she married Raymond Sharkey at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Fargo. The family moved to Westhope in 1972.

While living in Westhope, Donna became involved in Girl Scouting first as a Troop Leader then served the Northwest North Dakota Girl Scout Council becoming Council President in 1979. She felt honored to represent ND Girl Scouting at a reception at the White House in 1980. Donna was a life-time member of Girl Scouts and served on the National Catholic Committee of Girl Scouts and Campfire and became national Chairperson in 1987.

Donrose and Raymond moved to Minot in 2015 where they lived at the Wellington until Raymond’s death.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brothers Gerald and her twin Donald Vetsch, sister Paula Kraft, sister-in-law Dona Lou Vetsch, and brother-in-law Larry Kraft. She is survived by son Robert (Sandra Luttkus) Sharkey and Daughter Laura (Joseph) Rowell, 5 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made Girl Scouts Dakota Horizons, your local Girl Scout Troop, or the organization of your choice https://www.gsdakotahorizons.org/

The family will hold a private Memorial Mass of Christian burial at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church in Towner with burial in the church cemetery.

Published by The Minot Daily News, July 27, 2024.