Donna Lou Lorraine (Traut) Sadek, 95, of Jamestown, North Dakota, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of love, faith, hard work, and devotion to family. She was born April 9, 1931, in Jamestown, North Dakota, the fourth of seven children born to Clarence and Vesta (Bruce) Gray.
At the age of one, Donna and her family moved to Buchanan, North Dakota, where she grew up and attended school. She often shared fond stories of her childhood in Buchanan, remembering a town filled with families and children. For a short time, her family lived in a small cottage-style home with one bedroom and a screened-in porch that wrapped around the sides of the house. During warm summer nights, the children slept on the porch. She fondly recalled days filled with sledding, skating, playing ball, hide-and-seek, and “Anti-I-Over.” She could remember the names of childhood friends and exactly where they lived as though it were yesterday. Although times were hard during the 1930s and 1940s, she often said they didn’t have much money, but she never knew they were poor. To her, those were simply happy childhood days.
Donna married Wilmar Traut, and together they farmed in Deer Lake Township. She was a hardworking farmer’s wife who never hesitated to help wherever needed. When hired help was unavailable, she worked in the fields and cared for the milk cows, calves, pigs, and chickens until her sons were old enough to take over. She kept gardens because they were necessary, not because gardening was a hobby. Her favorite flowers were lilacs and dandelions, and a bouquet in a quart jar, pop bottle, or water glass on the kitchen table was just as special as any fancy arrangement.
Donna took great pride in keeping a clean home and passed that same standard on to her daughters. Her days were filled with work and caring for her family, leaving little time for hobbies. Her greatest joy was her family and making sure everyone was cared for. Family gatherings were an important part of her life. Saturday and Sunday dinners with the Gray family were frequent occasions, and summertime picnics were a must—three or more whenever possible! When traveling to Jamestown, Donna, Wilmar, and the children would often stop at “Ma and Pa” Traut’s home. They also frequently visited Wilmar’s sister, Bessy (Elizabeth), and Gotlieb Fried. Donna especially loved the summer visits from her nephews, the Clayton boys, who came from St. Paul to spend four or more days enjoying time with the family.
Donna and Wilmar had five children: Dianne (Elmer Jr.) Vavra of Wahpeton; Joanne (Frank) Perleberg of rural Buchanan; Wilmar “Will” (Marlene) Traut of Jamestown; Barbara (Roger) Job of Richvale, California; and Robert “Bob” (Lorna) Traut of Buchanan.
Donna and Wilmar moved to Jamestown in 1969. She worked at the State Hospital for three years and then at Anne Carlsen School for several years. They moved back to Buchanan in 1978 and returned to Jamestown in 1982 as Wilmar’s illness required additional care. Wilmar passed away on December 22, 1982.
In December 1985, Donna married George Sadek of Sanborn, North Dakota. Through this marriage, she gained six stepchildren, whom she loved and embraced as her own: Georgia (James) Olstad of Valley City; Rick Sadek of Fargo; Todd Sadek of Fargo; Dale Sadek of Fargo; Lori (Monte) Pritchett of Valley City; and Amy Elstrom of Valley City. Donna and George made their home in Sanborn until his passing in 1997. Donna then returned to Jamestown, where she lived independently until September 2023, when, at the age of 92, she moved to Ave Maria (SMP).
Donna often said she wanted a dozen children. Between her five children with Wilmar and George’s six children, she came close, with eleven! She truly loved the Sadek children as her own and made sure they were included in every family gathering, holiday celebration, and special occasion. Bringing the Traut and Sadek families together was important to her. She made it a point that the children would know and love one another, and she succeeded. Today, both families share a bond that is a testament to her love, determination, and God’s blessings. In honor of the special place Donna and the family held in their hearts, a granddaughter was named Donna Jean, honoring both grandmothers, Donna and Jean (Betty Jean Sadek).
Faith was an important part of Donna’s life. She believed strongly in Jesus as her Savior and loved having family gatherings where prayers were shared over her loved ones. She made sure her children attended Sunday services whenever the weather permitted, as well as confirmation classes and summer Bible school at Windsor’s Catholic Church. In her later years, she became a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Jamestown.
Donna also had a playful side and loved a good card game. In her later years, she became especially enthusiastic about teaching everyone to play “Garbage.” Family members, friends, and visitors all had to learn the game, and she enjoyed many laughs and giggles with her fellow competitors. She won her share of hard-fought games, and when she didn’t, someone might find themselves accused of cheating—with a smile, of course! Laurie Traut (Tyler) was one of her frequent and worthy opponents. Donna was also a longtime member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.
Donna is survived by her brother, Garnet Gray of Casper, Wyoming; her five children and six stepchildren; 17 grandchildren, 10 step-grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren, seven step-great-grandchildren, and 20 great-great-grandchildren, along with many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her two husbands, Wilmar Traut and George Sadek; her son-in-law, Elmer Jr. Vavra; her adopted great-grandson, Hunter; and her great-great-grandson, Gabriel.
Donna’s family would like to extend a very special and heartfelt thank-you to the Ave Maria family for the loving, compassionate, and attentive care they provided. Each staff member became a part of Donna’s extended family. She loved them, hugged them, and kissed them, making sure they knew how much they meant to her. They more than fulfilled her wish of having a dozen children, and her family will always be grateful for the kindness and love they showed her.
In addition the JRMC Hospice team provided wonderful comfort care to Donna during her last days and of which they also provided to her entire family.
Donna will be remembered for her strong work ethic, her deep faith, her devotion to family, her wonderful memories, and her laughter around the card table. Above all, she leaves behind a family connected by the love she worked so hard to nurture. Her legacy lives on in the generations who were blessed to call her Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma, and Great-Great-Grandma.
A Prayer Service will be held at 7:00 PM, Tuesday, November 17, 2026 at Eddy Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life Service will be 10:30 AM, Wednesday, November 18 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Jamestown, ND with Pastor Lucinda Lien officiating. Inurnment will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Eddy Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
