Dorothy Ruth Rueff's Obituary
Dorothy Ruth Rueff, 97 of Menasha , Wisconsin formerly of Jacksonville, Illinois , passed away on May 6, 2024 at Ascension Hospital in Appleton, Wisconsin.
Dorothy’s surviving family members are : Son, Larry Alan Rueff and his wife, Christine of Appleton, Wisconsin, daughter, Debra Packin and husband Robert of San Clemente, California, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence, and her daughter, Darla Ann.
Dorothy was born on August 19,1926 in Jacksonville, Illinois to Elmer E. Crabtree and Ruth Eledith Crabtree. She was a farm girl who loved animals, attending elementary school in her one room school house, and learning to sew at her 4H Club meetings. Dorothy continued her love of learning throughout her High school years and received her degree in Home Economics from the University of Illinois in 1949. Dorothy married Lawrence Rueff in June of 1948 which began their 55 year journey in life together. Lawrence was a High School teacher and Dorothy became a preschool teacher at Central Christian Church in Decatur, Illinois. Dorothy taught at the preschool for 23 ½ years. She directed the preschool for 21 of those years.
Dorothy believed that “ A warm, loving, caring and competent teacher will approach each day as an adventure in learning.”
Dorothy retired in 1990 at the age of 64 and moved with her husband from Decatur to Barton Stone, a church retirement community in Jacksonville, Illinois.
Her retirement years were spent taking long walks on the college campus nearby, playing Upwords word games, visiting with family and writing letters in her impeccable handwriting. She was also an impassioned reader who enjoyed inspirational poetry and books about Midwestern pioneers.
Dorothy Rueff will be remembered for her lifetime commitment to giving, her strong commitment to social justice, and her open and affirming kindness she shared with everyone she met. Her final words expressed gratitude to those who helped her through to the end of her life. Her memory is a blessing to her family.
A memorial service celebrating Dorothy’s life will be held at Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home at 1 PM, Saturday, June 8, 2024.
What’s your fondest memory of Dorothy?
What’s a lesson you learned from Dorothy?
Share a story where Dorothy's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Dorothy you’ll never forget.
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