Joseph Ruppert

Joseph H. "Joe" Ruppert, age 89, of rural Darlington, WI passed away Thursday, December 31, 2020 at his home in rural Darlington. He was born February 16, 1931 in Waldwick, WI, the son of Joseph and Edna (White) Ruppert. Joe spent his childhood in Waldwick and went to grade school in Lamont. After grade school, Joe and his family moved to Fayette Township where he attended and graduated from Darlington High School in 1949. Joe attended UW-Madison where he studied and received his certificate from the Farm & Industry Short Course. Joe then moved back home to Fayette where he started farming with his father. He was united in marriage to the love of his life, Margaret Krahenbuhl, on September 21, 1957 at Fayette United Methodist Church. Together they started a family and farmed until his retirement.Joe is survived by his wife Margaret at home; his children: Roxane (Dennis) Schult of Hazel Green, WI, Jewel (Jim) Bednarz of Verona, WI, Gwen (Mark Fry) Ruppert of Blanchardville, WI, Jenifer (Steve) Gassman of New Glarus, WI, Kent (Vicki) Ruppert of Maquoketa, IA, and Erica Ruppert of Mount Horeb, WI; his grandchildren: Lauren (Noah) Pancratz, Nicole Bednarz, Ethan, Vanessa, and Trevor Gassman, Reese and Cassandra Ruppert; two great-grandchildren: Everley and Ford Pancratz; and canine pal, Toby. He was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Nicholas, in infancy.Joe was a member of Fayette United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday School and was chairman of the board for a number of years. He enjoyed studying the bible with the Koffee Klutch class. Joe was a member of the John Birch Society and had a strong passion for politics, especially the preservation of individual rights and freedoms. He proudly served his community on the township board.Joe was an avid sports fan and enthusiast. After participating in many high school sports, he then played for the Darlington American Legion Baseball Team. He enjoyed attending his children's and grandchildren's sporting and music events. His passion for music included playing the violin; he was a talented singer and sang for numerous weddings and funerals throughout the years. He had a great admiration for nature and was a devout conservationist and one of the first in Fayette township to practice organic farming. Joe had a special place in his heart for animals. Upon retirement from dairying, he enjoyed traveling to National Parks with his family.A private family funeral service will be held Monday, January 4, 2021 at Waldwick Community Church with David Ritchie officiating. Burial will be at the Fayette Cemetery. A public visitation will be held Monday, January 4, 2021 from 11:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. at Waldwick Community Church. The Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington is serving the family. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com.For those who prefer, a memorial fund has been established in Joe's name.Due to Wisconsin State Mandate, masks are to be worn throughout your visit inside the church and that proper social distancing guidelines are practiced.