Helen Ruf

VISITATION

9:30-11:30 a.m., Friday, September 12 at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 412 South Main St., Chippewa Falls.

SERVICE

11:30 a.m., Friday, September 12 at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 412 South Main St., Chippewa Falls.

Helen E. Ruf, 99, of Chippewa Falls, died Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at Maplewood Nursing Home in Bloomer, where she was a resident.

She was born March 5, 1915 in Helena, Montana to Emma (Lange) and William Oemig. She grew up in the Cornell area.

Helen married Ludwig Ruf on June 25, 1936 at Notre Dame Catholic Church, Chippewa Falls. They resided in Chippewa Falls. After her family was raised, she worked as a housekeeper at St. Joseph's Hospital for 20 years and also did housekeeping for others. Helen was also a seasonal worker at Silver Spring Gardens in Eau Claire.

She was a member of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Chippewa Falls.

Survivors include her children Delores (Henry "Hank") Burtness of Chippewa Falls, Evelyn Ruf of Eau Claire, Diane "Blondie" (Joe) Rada of Bloomer, Chuck (Mary Sue) Ruf of Chippewa Falls; daughter-in-law, Jean Ruf of Chippewa Falls; sister, Irene Foster of Chippewa Falls; 18 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; many great-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ludwig on March 5, 1968; sons, Lloyd Charles Ruf in infancy, Donald and Richard Ruf; great-grandson, Brody Bowe; sisters, Clara Jensen, Ellen Davis, Grace Tiry, Norma Kappus ; brothers, John, Edward, Wally, William and Elmer Oemig.

Helen enjoyed being with her family. She babysat for many of her grandkids. She made the best rice pudding, bread pudding and date cookies. She enjoyed polka music and always told her kids to stay away from "the animals."

A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m., Friday, September 12 at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Chippewa Falls. Fr. G. Valentine Joseph will be celebrant of the funeral Mass. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Chippewa Falls.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service Friday at the church.

AFTERSERVICE

A funeral service for Helen E. Ruf, 99, of Chippewa Falls was held at 11:30 a.m., Friday, September 12 at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Chippewa Falls. Fr. G. Valentine Joseph was celebrant at the funeral Mass and music was provided by Judy Brist. Readings were given by great-granddaughter Kelsey Bowe, gift bearers were great-granddaughters, Hailea and Jazzilyn Bowe and personal reflections were shared by great-granddaughter, Danielle Jenneman. Interment was in Calvary Cemetery, Chippewa Falls. Casket bearers were David and Dan Burtness, Mike, Roger and Brandon Ruf, Jeff and Joe Rada. Honorary bearers were granddaughters, Penny Plass, Shelly Blaeser, Renee Radley, Michelle Charpentier, Kim Perry, LaWanda Bowe, Tammy Hartwig and Jolene Ruf.