MIDDLETON / CLINTONVILLE, Wis. - Ruth Elizabeth (Hanson) Dilley of Clintonville passed away on January 29, 2025, in Middleton, Wis. Ruth was born on May 2, 1937, in the Town of Clayton, Crawford County, Wis., the third and youngest child of Erick and Sidney (Roghers) Hanson.

Ruth grew up on the family farm near Bell Center, Wis., and graduated from Gays Mills High School, Gays Mills, Wis., in 1955. She went on to attend Platteville State College and obtained her three-year teaching certificate in elementary education in 1958. Ruth taught second and third grade, first in Lodi, Wis. and then in Richland Center, Wis., before moving to Cudahy, Wis. in 1960. While living in and teaching in Cudahy, Ruth met Gerald Elton Dilley at a YMCA dance. They were married on June 16, 1962, in Lodi, Wis. They made their home in Cudahy until 1964, when they built their home in Wind Lake, Wis. Jerry and Ruth lived in Wind Lake for 34 years and raised their two children there.

Ruth took time off from her teaching career to start a family between 1963 and 1970. She then returned to college and earned her master’s degree with a specialty certification in reading in 1971. She also tutored children who had difficulties with reading. In the fall of 1971, Ruth returned to work as a substitute teacher for two years, then was hired as a Title I Reading Specialist by what is now CESA #1. She taught at North Cape School in Franksville, Wis. from 1973 to 1991. Ruth finished her career as a reading specialist and curriculum coordinator for the Wauwatosa School District from 1990 to 1993. She retired from teaching in 1993.

In 1998, following their retirement from teaching, Jerry and Ruth purchased a home on the Pigeon River in Clintonville, Wis., where they lived for 24 years. Due to age and declining health, in 2023 Jerry and Ruth sold their home in Clintonville and moved to assisted living in Middleton, Wis., near their son.

Ruth had a passion for reading and spent much of her leisure time reading her favorite mystery novels. She also dabbled in writing poetry and was able to publish a poem in Christian magazines in 1973.

Ruth was a past member of Norway Lutheran Church in Wind Lake, as well as Christus Lutheran Church and Faith Lutheran Church in Clintonville. She was a current member of All Saints Lutheran Church in Fitchburg, Wis. Ruth was a very active volunteer in her younger years, serving as a Sunday School teacher and Sunday School superintendent, church librarian, and WELCA member. She also spent many years helping to make quilts to ship overseas through Lutheran World Relief.

Ruth was an avid genealogist and spent over 40 years researching the family tree. She helped others learn to research and taught classes in beginning genealogy. Ruth also enjoyed sewing, shopping and visiting with family and friends. She especially enjoyed travel and camping. Ruth and Jerry toured much of the United States during their retirement, often returning to their favorite camping spot in Montana. They were also able to take special tours to Alaska and Europe. Many of their trips involved genealogy, and they co-authored a book on the Dilley family tree entitled “I Come From a Long Line of Dilleys”.

Ruth is survived by her two children, Janet (Tim) Meydam of Wittenberg, Wis. and Mark (Bonnie) Dilley of Fitchburg, Wis.; grandchildren and step-grandchildren, Calysta (Patrick) Burke, Jeffrey (Kariema) Phalen, Jon Dilley, Kassaundra (Jared) Kiehnau, Ari (Jenna) Lubet, Elliot Lubet and Ben Lubet; and great-grandchild and step great-grandchildren, Tadhg Burke, Matylda Burke, Filomena Lubet, Leona Lubet and Djed Lubet. She is further survived by her two nieces, Linda and Diane Heal of Gays Mills; and sisters-in-law, Judy (Norman) Busse of Barron, Wis. and Jill (Bill) Grosskreutz of Clintonville. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Jerry; her parents; sister and brother-in-law, Amelia and Richard Heal; and brother, Frederick Hanson.

A funeral service will be held at ALL SAINTS LUTHERAN CHURCH, 2951 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 8, 2025, with Pastor Kristin Woelk presiding. Burial will be held at Graceland Cemetery, 320 S. Main St., Clintonville, at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 11, 2025. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday.

Ruth's family would like to thank the staff at Cardinal View Senior Living of Middleton and Agrace Hospice of Madison for their care and support.

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

Gunderson Fitchburg
Funeral & Cremation Care
2950 Chapel Valley Road

(608) 442-5002

Ruth E. Dilley

May 02, 1937 - January 29, 2025

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