Obit: Ruff, Erna Beatrice (1913 - 2011)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Ruff, Misfeldt, Rheingans, Heinzen, Kaiser, Popple, Springer, Oudenhoven

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI.) September 28, 2011

Ruff, Erna Beatrice (28 June 1913 - 26 September 2011)

Erna B. Ruff, age 98, of Thorp, passed away at Oakbrook Health & Rehab, in Thorp, on Monday, September 26, 2011.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 20, 2011, at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Thorp, with Rev. Timothy Oudenhoven officiating.  Entombment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park in Wausau.  Visitation will be held at the church, on Friday, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.

Erna Beatrice Rheingans was born on June 28, 1913, in Chippewa Falls, WI, the daughter of John H. and Emma (Misfeldt) Rheingans.  She was raised and received her education in the Chippewa Falls area, and was a 1931 graduate of Chippewa Falls High School.  After high school, Erna worked for Farm Security Administration, in Chippewa Falls, for eight years.  She was united in marriage on November 14, 1939, to Clarence Ruff at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Boyd, WI.  They moved to Thorp in 1941, where she worked for Thorp Finance for 23 years and Thorp Housing Administration for eight years. Erna was very active in church and community life. She held many offices for the Parish Council of Catholic Women, National Catholic Society of Foresters, Thorp Housing Administration, Senior Citizens, Senior Citizens Board Committee and AARP.

She was a member of St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church. Erna had many interests, but especially enjoyed volunteer work, playing cards, traveling, crocheting and reading.

Erna will be dearly missed by two sons: William (Vicky) Ruff of Fitchburg, WI, and Henry (Polly) Ruff of Sun Prairie, WI; eight grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; two sisters-in-law: Stella Kaiser of Cadott, WI, and Lorraine Rheingans of La Crosse, WI; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Clarence, on May 1, 1991; one daughter, Peggy Heinzen, on January 27, 1989; two grandchildren: Steven Ruff and Mitchell Heinzen; two sisters: Esther Popple and Dorothy Springer; and one brother John Rheingans.

The family would like to thank the staff at Oakbrook Health & Rehab for the great care they showed Erna in the last 5½ years. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to the Thorp Catholic School in Erna’s memory.

Online condolences may be directed to www.cuddiefh.com.  Thorp Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.