Jacqueline Ruf

Jacqueline (Jackie Bates) Ruf died quietly at home on August 5, 2026, in the company of her family, moments before a peaceful rain. She was 89. A lifelong Wisconsinite, Jackie was born in Reedsburg and lived most of her adult life in Darlington. After graduating from Mauston High School, she went on to earn three bachelor’s degrees: Home Economics from UW Madison and German and Theater from UW Platteville. She met her husband, David Frederick (Fritz) Ruf, when they both attended UW Madison. Together they created a fulfilling life and home with their children, Elizabeth, Amy, Margaret, and Nicholas.

When Jackie was a new mother, the young family moved to Germany where Fritz served a two-year tour of duty as a U.S. Army medic. The experience of living overseas unveiled new horizons for Jackie, whose life until then was centered within the margins of her home state. From that time forward, she never turned down an opportunity to see the world. The family made adventurous trips around the country and abroad, including memorable trips to visit Swiss relatives in the ancestral Ruf home in Oberried am Brienzersee. Whether traveling with her husband, her family, or her best friends, Jackie was an explorer, and wherever she went, strangers became new friends. That passion for discovery inspired the same wanderlust in her descendants and many others.

Jackie brought joy to everyone in her life with her engaging personality and by generously sharing her incredible talents as a knitter, seamstress and clothing designer, costume creator, fiber artist, portrait artist and illustrator, poet, gardener, and baker of the best pies around. Her many blue ribbons and Best in Show accolades from the Lafayette County Fair attest to these talents. She found kindred spirits in her dear Sarasponda wool-spinning friends and local knitting circles. Her musicality and acting ability stood out in acclaimed theatrical productions throughout the region, including memorable starring roles in Our Town, Equus, Tartuffe, The Winter’s Tale, and countless roles with the Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival on stage and in the costume shop.

Jackie adored and supported her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and so many others who called her “Grandma Jackie.” She loved, admired, and valued everyone in her life for their unique talents, good works, and positive contributions to humanity. In turn, Jackie was an inspiration. She insisted on living each day to the fullest and experiencing all that life could offer, even in the face of medical challenges. Her uncanny cleverness, unmatched artistry and creativity, classy beauty, curious spirit, and her compassion and commitment to righteousness are traits we will strive to emulate always.

Jackie was laid to rest in a green burial at Union Grove Cemetery in Darlington on August 7, 2026, where she will remain alongside her husband, Fritz, and their daughter Melissa Jane who died in infancy. Others who preceded her in death include her parents, Rosella and John T. Bates, and her two brothers, James and Steven Bates. She is survived by her children Elizabeth Ruf Maldonado, Amy Ruf (Greg Vann), Margaret Ruf, Nicholas Ruf (Kerri), and exchange-student daughter Chisaki Baba; grandchildren Sydney, Jaxin (Clinton), Clara, Flynn, Nathaniel, Nya, Anna, and Em (Adam); great grandchildren Harlan, Leon, and Aries; and Jackie’s sisters Virginia (John) Jennings and Barbara (Martin) Sickenberger, and their families.

A memorial service is planned for October 24, 2026, at 10:00 A.M. at Immanuel United Church of Christ in Darlington, followed by a commemorative celebration from 12:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. at the Driver Opera House — the kind of party Jackie would love to attend. There will be dancing!

“Bloom and grow forever…”

Memorial donations in Jackie's honor can be made to The Driver Opera House.