MADISON / Poynette - Ruth Beverly Saaf-Falter, age 86, of Poynette, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, at Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital. She was born on Dec. 1, 1937, in Madison, the daughter of Vearl and Nellie (Bergh) Davidson.

Ruth graduated from East High School in 1956. She attended UW-La Crosse for one year. She worked for the University of Wisconsin Law School from 1958 to March 1995. She married Douglas Saaf on July 15, 1961, and William “Bill” Falter in April 1995.

In her younger years, she played on a traveling softball league. Ruth was an assistant football and baseball coach under Wally Warner until she became the first female football and baseball head coach and the first female umpire for East Madison Little League. She spent a lot of years on a women's softball league for the Pepperettes, Esquire Club, Friendly Tavern, and Club LaMark. Ruth also played in the Madison volleyball league for many years and frequently enjoyed bowling. She was a big fan of the Badger Midget Auto Racing Association, Angell Park Speedway, and other forms of auto racing.

Ruth is survived by her three sons, Michael (Margie) Saaf, Jim (Kris) Saaf, and Scott (Marianne) Zoellner; daughter, Sherri Saaf-Seefeldt; sister, Linda (David) Bredeson; grandchildren, James (Brooke) Calverley-Saaf and Rheanna Saaf; Bill's seven children; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Douglas Saaf and William "Bill" Falter; her parents; and her brother, John (Donna) Davidson.

A funeral service will be held at Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Care, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024. Family and friends who wish to view the service via LIVESTREAM may visit Ruth’s obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com and click on the Watch Event link at the time of the service. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 2 p.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be held at Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may made to the family. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

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

Ruth B. Saaf-Falter

December 01, 1937 - February 08, 2024

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