Mary Ann Ruff

Mary Ann Ruff

March 02, 1950 - May 04, 2025

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Obituary

VERONA - Mary Ann Ruff, age 75, of Verona, passed away on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at UW Hospital and Clinics. She was born on March 2, 1950, in Covington, Ky., the daughter of Frank and Geneva (Shadoan) Sauter.


Mary Ann graduated from Dixie Heights High School in Erlanger, Ky., in 1968. She was united in marriage to the love of her life, best friend and life partner, Ronald Ruff, on April 7, 1978, in Cincinnati, Ohio.


Mary Ann started working for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1968, until relocating to Madison, Wisconsin, ultimately retiring in 2005. During her career with the FDA, she took several college courses to become an FDA investigator.


Mary Ann loved reading, listening to music, shopping and traveling. She took several cruises with Ron, including one to Europe which traveled across the Atlantic and enjoyed their travels to Hawaii.


Mary Ann was truly a special person and a gift to everyone that knew her. She will be dearly missed by her beloved husband of 47 years, Ronald; brothers, Frank (Rachel) Sauter and Robert (Barbara) Sauter; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.


Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Ave., Middleton, from 12:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 8, 2025. Burial will follow at Sunset Memory Gardens in Madison.
 

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


Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761

Events

08
Visitation
Thu May 8, 2025 @ 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM CDT
Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Care • 7435 University Ave., Middleton, WI 53562
Get Directions
08
Graveside Service
Thu May 8, 2025 @ 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM CDT
Sunset Memory Gardens • 7302 Mineral Point Rd., Madison, WI 53717
Get Directions

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Mary Ann
AR
A Memorial Tree was planted for Mary Ann Ruff
Other •
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Gunderson Funeral Home - Madison
A
Anonymous
Other •
Many fond memories when we got together as kids. And I'm glad we were able to get together for Thanksgiving several years ago. Love you!
JT
Jay Tucker
Other •
So many memories of how Mary Ann made difficult times tolerable with her unforgettable smile and genuine careing for everyone she knew. Heaven is a happier place today. Jay T.
KC
Kathy Coolman
Other •
Mary Ann & I became friends around 1980 as the Madison FDA & Milwaukee FDA offices began to regularly interact. Our friendship has grown ever since. Over the last couple years we've dealt with health issues & we started to talk & text more often. Since we were both "night owls" we would often be texting late at night discussing events of the day (or the Jimmy Kimmel show). Mary Ann was the sister I never had... I will miss her so very much. ♥
RM
Richar & Maurine
Other •
Mary Ann was truly a kind and generous person and Maurine and I were proud to have her has friend. We meet for the first time at my first day at FDA in1972 and have remained friends on and off the court ever since. I was shocked, as we all were when she died and then I though of the line “If she should die tonight, take her, and cut her out in little stars, and she shall make the face of heaven so grand that all the world will be in love with night.” My hope, for Ron, and for all of us is that we go out and look and those stars some clear night and know that she is still very much with us, and will always be part of us.
CB
Cheryl Bigham
Other •
My condolences to Ron and the rest of the family. I worked with Ron and Mary Ann for several years while they were stationed at FDA in Madison. To say I worked with them is an understatement. We became friends whom i admired greatly. Mary Ann was an incredibly genuine, gentle soul. Her inviting warmth, sincerity, fun and concern for others were just part of the amazing person she was. She supported me through tough times even though I was supposedly her supervisor because that is just who she was. The world has lost a shining light but heaven has a new beautiful angel.

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