MADISON - Ruth Muriel (Richards) Shipman, age 78, of Madison, passed away on Monday, June 2, 2025, at The Ridge in Madison. She was born on May 16, 1947, in Virginia, Minn., the daughter of Mark and Ruth (Aho) Richards.

She graduated from Virginia High School in 1965 and earned her Associate’s Degree from Mesabi Community College. She spent her early years working as a hairdresser and then for WPS. Later, she worked as a receptionist for the University of Wisconsin-Madison in their finance/accounting office, retiring in 2005.

Ruth would easily go with the flow. She loved to spend time with her sons and grandkids. Her favorite place in the world was her family’s cabin on Lake Fourteen in northern Minnesota. She enjoyed writing letters to her friends and family and was known for her beautiful penmanship. She was an avid bowler and loved to watch and talk sports. If she didn’t have the TV on she generally had a book in her hands, as she also loved to read.

Ruth will be missed by her sons, Mike (Kerri) Richards of Edgerton and Pat (Deborah) Shipman of Barneveld; sister, Margaret (Jeremy) Hazard; grandsons, Tucker Shipman, Cooper Shipman and Marcus Richards; and granddaughter, Lauren Richards. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mark and Ruth.

Burial will take place at Greenwood Cemetery in Virginia, Minn., at a later date.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420

Ruth Muriel Shipman

May 16, 1947 - June 02, 2025

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