Ruth M. Gifford

Ruth Marie Gifford (née Stephan), born May 5, 1933, passed away peacefully on Monday evening, February 3, 2025, at the age of 91. Preceded in death by her beloved husband, Roger, she was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She will be deeply missed by her four children and their spouses, John (Debbie) Gifford, Mary (Dennis) Berceau, Fred Gifford, and Lauren (Tim) Burch, grandchildren Trevor (Sarah) Berceau, Calvin (Emily) Berceau, Katya Burch, and Eric Burch, and great-grandchildren Alexia, Zachary, and Matilda, step-grandchildren Margaret (Chris) Rios, Mary Lompa, and Sarah Lompa, and step-great-grandchildren Aubri, Brooklyn, Camila, and Ronan. Also dearly missed by her brother and sister-in-law Ronald (Judy) Stephan, and brother-in-law, Michael Gifford, nieces and nephews, and many other friends and relatives. 

Ruth worked first as a waitress and then in secretarial positions prior to landing a very special decades-long role as an Administrative Assistant to the Provincial Leaders at the School Sisters of St. Francis, where she was, at times, endearingly referred to as Sister Ruth.

Over the years she enjoyed a wide variety of hobbies, especially dancing the jitterbug with her husband, Roger, playing kickball and swimming with her grandchildren, sewing, rollerskating, playing the piano, macrame, calligraphy, and knitting. Ruth also enjoyed cribbage, and learned to play pool in her mid-eighties at her senior living apartment. While husband Roger’s art was created on canvas with oils and watercolor, and Ruth explored other traditional artistic paths, Ruth’s biggest passion was creating on the canvas of life ~ guiding, supporting, and sharing in the lives of her children, grandchildren, and eventually, great grandchildren.

Ruth’s Celebration of Life is planned for Thursday, June 12, 2025, from 1pm to 4pm, with eulogies at 2PM, at Max A Sass & Sons Mission Hills Chapel. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation on Ruth’s behalf to the following nonprofits: Wisconsin Parkinson’s Association or to Zilber Hospice.