Janine Ruff

Janine Faye Ruff, 69, of Alma, Wis., passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Dodge County, Wisconsin. 

 Janine was born to Raymond and Arlene (Reinhardt) Quarberg Dec. 21, 1954, in Wabasha. She attended Modena Grade School and then Mondovi High School, where she graduated in 1973. Janine was united in marriage to Brian E. Ruff on Aug. 21, 1976 at Modena Lutheran Church. To this loving union, two children were born. Together, Janine and her husband were dairy farmers for more than 40 years at Springvale Farm in Nelson Township.

Along with farming, Janine was known for her hard work, many artistic talents and love for children and animals. She was the go-to person for special sewing projects and, more recently, her many quilts, wall hangings and other creative crafts. Along with chickens, calves and sheep, Janine always had dogs and cats as pets. If there was an abandoned animal, she became its caretaker. She loved spending hours in her flower garden. Through the years, Janine worked at Alma Veterinary Clinic and Alma Blooms. Janine was very active and faithful member of Grace Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday School and led the children’s musical programs. 

Janine will be sadly missed by her husband, Brian, and their children Joshua Ruff, granddaughter Abby Ruff, Alma, and Amber (Jamie) Brei, granddaughter Ella Brei, Wausau, brothers Greg (Marie) Quarberg, Alma, Brad (Gail) Quarberg, La Crosse, brother-in-law Dwight (Lou Ann) Ruff, Alma, sister-in-law Cynthia (Randy) Martin, Scottsdale, Arizona, mother-in-law Jeanette Ruff, Alma, aunt Patricia Quarberg, Loganville, Wis., uncle Ken Brager, Mondovi, step-sister Becky (Charlie) Weber, step-brother Ron (Joan) Kaempf, Arkansaw, step-brother Dean Kaempf, Elmwood, and many special cousins, nieces and nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, father-in-law Merlyn Ruff, step-mother Rosetta Quarberg, and aunts and uncles.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 1, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Grace Lutheran Church in Nelson with Pastor David Peters officiating. Burial will follow at Nelson Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Sunday, June 30, 2024 from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the Talbot Family Funeral Home, Alma Chapel and again at the church on Monday from 10:00 AM until the hour of the service. 

Memorials, in Janine’s name, would be appreciated to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Nelson, WI.