Ruth Lark

**Please note service details below have changed**

MADISON- Ruth Harris Lark, our mother and grandmother passed away peacefully on August 18, 2026, at the age of 94.

Ruth was born on January 17, 1932, in Vaughn, Miss., to Ida Mae (Hagan) Ellis and Willie Harris. The first of four children, she grew up in Yazoo City as a sharecropper and later attended Natchez High School College/Jackson State College. In school she was valedictorian of her speech class, drew pictures and played basketball (which she claimed to be the best shooter). She graduated with a certificate in primary education and went on to teach 4th grade before she moved with her family to Chicago.

It was at Natchez High School College where she met and later married her husband of over 50 years, Willie Taft Lark. Willie joined the U.S. Air Force and together they were stationed in South Dakota and later Madison, Wis., where they bought their home and raised their two children, Don and Patti on Madison’s north side. This same home was the one which she was blessed to remain in and enjoyed up until 2024. She loved to sing in the church choir where she was an active member of Saint Paul AME Church and a member of S.S. Morris AME Church. Ruth loved to sew, crochet and could play a few songs on the piano and was a member of the Order of Eastern Stars. She worked and retired from the DMV in 1994. Later, Ruth became interested in politics and followed the news closely, spending her days writing letters, following current events and discussing them with anyone who would listen.

Ruth enjoyed taking trips to see her family in Chicago, Mississippi and New Orleans. She liked traveling with her sister around the U.S. and having daily conversations with her cousins, Shirley Day and Ozelle Bradfield.

Ruth is survived by her two children, Don (Paulette) Lark and Patti Lark Crutcher; stepdaughter, Marina Lark Taylor; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; her younger sister, Betty Massey; as well as a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; and brothers, McKinley Caper and Wilson Ellis.

A graveside service will take place at MIDDLETON JUNCTION CEMETERY, 8409 Isaac Drive, Middleton, at 1:15 p.m. on Thursday, August 27, 2026. A Repass will follow at the PRAIRIE PARK SENIOR APARTMENTS COMMUNITY ROOM, 6530 Schroeder Road, Madison, at 2 p.m. on Thursday.

The family would like to thank the staff at Hallowstone Assisted Living in Sun Prairie as well as Agrace Hospice for their exceptional care of Ruth. We appreciate all the love and care that you and your staff have shown our mother/grandmother over the years.

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

Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 831-6761