Ruth M. Culver

Culver, Ruth M. Age 84, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 2, 2008, at Maplewood of Sauk Prairie, Sauk City. She was born in Pickett, WI, on July 22, 1924, the daughter of the late Casper and Kathryn (Weber) Peppler. Ruth met the love of her life, George Culver, in 1943 and they married on October 28, 1944. They were wonderful partners in business together starting with the A&W Drive-In in Sauk City in 1961. They later purchased the Farm Kitchen Resort at the entrance of Devils Lake State Park and operated that with their family until the mid seventies. Later they re-purchased the A&W Restaurant in Sauk City and eventually co-founded Culver's Frozen Custard Restaurants on that same location. George was the entrepreneur of the businesses they operated through the years and Ruth was the spirit--or the "Hospitality Queen". She had a knack of taking care of guests at the different restaurants they operated with a spirit of warmness that made guests feel welcomed--almost like they were guests at the Culver home. Later, as Culver's Frozen Custard began to grow and prosper, Culver Franchising decided to create an award for Culver restaurants, which embodied the spirit of Ruth's warmness. The award is called the "Ruth". It is an award that is highly sought after by Culver Owner/Operators. Ruth cherished the memories of serving so many different and wonderful guests in different Sauk County settings over the years. Many were or became friends. She also thought greatly of the different team members who have served with George and Ruth over the years. Ruth and George were outstanding at surrounding themselves with great team members and they would tell you the successes they had were mainly because of them. Ruth also knew how to have fun and that spirit transpired through to the people around her. Ruthie, as many of her friends called her, was a grand lady. The Culver children, grandchildren and great - grandchildren will greatly miss her. If there was something that brought a sparkle to her eyes during her last days, it was her precious grandchildren and great - grandchildren, and, of course, the love of her life, George, will miss her like no other. She is survived by her husband, George of Prairie du Sac, 3 children, Georgia (James) Littlepage of Fairview, TX, Craig (Lea) Culver of Prairie du Sac and Curt (Sue) Culver of Chenequa; 7 grandchildren, Brad Bishop, Brent (Tana) Bishop, Brittany (Mike) Chrisler, Mandy Culver, Chelsea Culver, Patrick (Jessica) Culver and Christine Culver, and 3 great-grandchildren; 5 siblings, Fritz (Eileen) Zitzer, Kathryn (Jim) Martel, Dave Peppler, Leah (Jack) Kolterjohn, and Ruben (Judy) Peppler. Also survived by other relatives and many friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by seven siblings. Funeral services will be held at ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 100 Oak St., Prairie du Sac, at 11:00 AM on Monday, October 6, 2008, with Pastor Fred Rilling officiating. Burial will follow in the Prairie du Sac Cemetery. Friends may call from 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM on Sunday, October 5, 2008, at the church and also on Monday, one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. John's Lutheran Church, Culver's VIP Scholarship Foundation, or a charity of your choice. HOOVERSON FUNERAL HOME Sauk City (608) 643-6430 Hooversonfuneralhomes.com