LaVerne Ferdinand Ruhland

LaVerne (Vern) Ferdinand Ruhland, 80, Statesboro, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 12, 2026. He was born February 4, 1945, to Edmund and Martha (Wilman) Ruhland in Baraboo, WI.
Vern served in the US Navy as a radioman on the USS Forrestal. Following his service, he graduated from University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse and had a long career in retail management with Kresge, K-Mart and Shopko, retiring in 1997. He married Ruthmary Wallem in 1973 to whom he was devoted for 45 years until her passing in 2018. Vern and Ruth enjoyed many trips to Georgia to visit family, with Vern eventually making it his home in 2023. He was a man of strong faith whose gentle presence was felt by all who knew him.
Vern is survived by his son, Joseph (Kristen) Ruhland; granddaughter, Madeline; grandson, William; brother, Kenneth Ruhland; sister, Bobbie (Jim) Koch; brothers-in-law, Arvene (Marge) Wallem and Loren Wallem; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by Ruthmary; infant daughter, Kelly; his parents; and his sisters-in-law, Alice Ruhland, LaVonne Wallem, Charlotte Wallem and Elaine Harris.
Friends may call on St. Luke's Catholic Church, 1240 Nachreiner Ave, Plain, WI 53577 for a visitation on Tuesday, January 20, from 10:00 to 11:00a.m. followed by a Mass of Catholic Burial at 11:00a.m. with Fr. Luke Syse officiating. A burial ceremony will follow at St. Luke's Catholic Church Cemetery in Plain, WI.
We would like to thank the Gardens on Gentilly, Regency Hospice and their staff for caring for Vern. We are forever grateful.
Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home, Statesboro, GA and Stafford Funeral Home, Spring Green, WI are assisting the family.