Betty Jean Ruszkowski

Betty Jean Ruszkowski, age 80, passed away peacefully at her home in Reedsburg, surrounded by her family on Wednesday, December 5, 2018. Betty was born on January 20, 1938 in Reedsburg, Wisconsin to William and Ester (Krening) Luedtke. Betty attended a one room school and graduated from Reedsburg High School. Betty’s folks moved from the farm into town and that is where she met her husband of 25 years, James L. Ruszkowski, and married July 21, 1957. Betty moved to Illinois and raised five children.  James preceded her in death in 1982.  Betty later moved back to Reedsburg to take care of her mother. Betty remarried, Robert M. Flohr in 1984, and celebrated 10 years of marriage.

Betty was also preceded in death by her second husband, Robert; her parents; brother, Bill; two sisters, Elaine Esther and Phyllis Jean, in infancy; and sister-in-law, Elaine (Albin) Lechowski.

Betty had a dream to live in the country and have horses. Her love of animals was a gift.  Betty gave all her special animals a loving home. Her passion was to travel, and her favorite place was Alaska, but she also loved camping. She took many of the grandkids out west to share the history of our west. Betty loved the old west, her favorites being Roy Rodgers and John Wayne, and spent many an hour watching old westerns with her dog, Buddy. We know at the gates of heaven, waiting are Flicka, Ace and Buddy to take her home.

She is smiling back at all of us because she is taking that last ride with Buddy guiding her way.

She is survived by her children, James F. (Bobbi) Ruszkowski, Karen (Dan) Denruiter, Richard Ruszkowski, Roxanne (Gary) Gillitzer, Kimberly Ruszkowski (Debi Young); her grandchildren, Jay, Rachel, Michael, Kevin, Nicole, Rebecca, Jacob and Jessica; sister-in-law, Delores (Robert) Luedtke-McWilliams; and nephew Jim Luedtke. A special mention for Betty’s best friend, Connie Campbell, for 50 years of friendship.

Family, friends and others whose lives Betty touched are invited to the Farber Funeral Home for visitation from 10:00 A.M. until 12:00 with the service at noon on Saturday, December 15, 2018. Burial will follow services at Calvary Cemetery in Reedsburg.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Betty’s name to SSM Health at Home Hospice or the Sauk County Humane Society.

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