Ruth Tuten

MADISON- Ruth Isabelle Tuten, age 87, passed away peacefully on Monday, Aug. 8, 2011. She was born on Feb. 6, 1924, in Madison, the daughter of Joseph and Agnes Moquin. She became a creative spirit with a flair for the dramatic. Ruth was involved in many theater productions at West High School where she graduated in 1941. She later was instrumental in organizing many reunions for the next 60 years. At age 17, through her course work at the Colt School of Art, Ruth was able to help support her family by designing posters and painting signs for Rennebohm’s in downtown Madison. During World War II, Ruth attempted to be a Civil Air Patrol pilot. Unfortunately she became incredibly air-sick at anything but level flight. She then became a very popular U.S.O. girl and met her future husband Tommy at a U.S.O. dance. When Ruth offered to find him someone to dance with he looked her up and down and stated, “You’ll do.” They shared a dance for over 60 years together and raised five children, Michael, Helen, David, John, and Carol, and saw numerous grand and great-grandchildren come into their lives. She fed them all. Ruth taught floral design for more than 20 years at Madison Area Technical College and for 15 years ran her own floral business, Bridal Bouquet’s by Ruth. Many Madison florists benefited from her mentoring as well as many Madison Brides. She was featured in Madison Magazine, and was a member of Altrusa, an organization for women professionals. Ruth poured boundless energy and dedication to community service: her church, Immaculate Heart of Mary; St. Ann’s Society; St. Vincent de Paul Society; the homeless shelter at Grace Episcopal Church; Olbrich Garden Club and Olbrich Botanical Society; early Madison Parks programs and the Monona Senior Center. Starting as a Cub Scout Den Mother for her little brother Art, she continued to be active in Boy and Girl Scouts with her own children. Ruth served as a foster parent, and touched many lives with her generosity and dedication to all those in need of support and affirmed their lives had value. She continued to feed them all. Her friendships quite literally spanned the globe, although her home was always in Monona. She loved gardening, bird watching, sewing for her family and friends, geneology, and was a cutthroat bridge player. She is survived by her children, Michael, his wife Carol Huber,and their daughters, Kathy Tuten and Anne Eudaly; Helen Czerepinski and her children, Heather Czerepinski, Rachel Faul, Leah Flanagan, Erin Laney, and David Czerepinski; David Tuten, his wife Karen, his children, Adam Tuten and Erica Ellenwood and their mother, Jan Tuten; John Tuten, his wife Tammy, and their sons, Andrew and Alexander; Carol Kaufman, her husband Thomas, and their daughters, Sylvian and Sunniva. There also are 16 great-grandchildren. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Tommy in 2005; her sister, Agnes Baer in 2008; and her brother, Art Olsen in 2011. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CHURCH, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, at 11 a.m. on on Friday, Aug. 12, 2011. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., with a rosary service at 7:30 p.m., on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, and also at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass on Friday. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either the St. Vincent de Paul Society or Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish. The family thanks the staff at St Mary’s Care Center in Madison for their excellent and loving care of Ruth during her final months. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either the St. Vincent de Paul Society or Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., with a rosary service at 7:30 p.m., on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, and also at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass on Friday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CHURCH, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, at 11 a.m. on on Friday, Aug. 12, 2011.