Carl F. Ruff 1920-2014

RUFF, STECKLEIN, ENGLING, HOGAN, LARSON, KUHLE, MEYER, RUNDE, BETTCHER, RAPP, REISEN, DERKS, GAU, JUNGK

Posted By: j.n. (email)
Date: 11/9/2014 at 21:49:10

Carl F. "Whitey" Ruff, age 94, of Dubuque, IA, passed away peacefully at home at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 8, 2014.

To honor Carl's life, funeral services will be at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 12, 2014, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 1425 Iowa St., with Rev. Alan J. Dietzenbach officiating and Rev. Robert Gross giving the homily. To celebrate Carl's life, family and friends may visit from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 11, 2014, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main St., where there will be a parish scripture said at 7:30 p.m. Entombment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum. Full military honors will be accorded by the Dubuque Marine Corps League.

Carl was born on February 18, 1920, in Peru Township, IA, son of Charles H. and Alma (Stecklein) Ruff.

Carl proudly served with the US Army during WWII. He was a C.Y.O. Boxing Champion in the Feather Weight bracket from 1937-1940.

Carl married Irene Engling on May 9, 1946, at Holy Ghost Church. She preceded him in death on January 27, 2010.

Carl worked at Wonder Bread for 11 years and spent another 23 years at John Deere Dubuque Works until his retirement.

He was a longtime member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Holy Name Society, Power of Prayer and the John Deere Retirees.

Carl is survived by

10 children,
Cheryl R. (Lloyd) Hogan, Dubuque,
Cathy A.(Steve) Larson, Corona, CA,
Joan B. (Tom) Kuhle, Dubuque,
Jane M. (Duane) Meyer, Dubuque,
Jean M. (Gerald) Runde, Essexville, MI,
Joyce I. Bettcher, Dubuque,
Charlie J. (Sue) Ruff, Dubuque,
Joseph A. (Dawn) Ruff, Dubuque,
Craig A. Ruff, Dubuque,
Neal A. (Kelly) Ruff, Dubuque,

a daughter-in-law,
Dee Ruff, of Adel, Iowa,

30 grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren,

5 siblings,
Phillip (Shirley) Ruff, Dubuque,
Donald Ruff, Dubuque,
Elaine Rapp, Dubuque,
Alma Mae Reisen, Peosta, IA,
Wilma (Jack) Derks, Tempe, AZ.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Irene; a son, Carl F. Ruff Jr.; two grandchildren, Troy Runde and Andrea Bellman; a great-granddaughter, Siena Downs; three brothers, Harold, Wayne, Chet Ruff and two sisters Virginia Gau and Jeanette Jungk.

In lieu of flowers a Carl F. "Whitey" Ruff memorial fund has been established.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Hospice of Dubuque for all their devoted care.

Funeral Services
Visitation
Tuesday, November 11
2:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Behr's Funeral Home
1491 Main Street Dubuque, IA 52001
(563) 582-329

Wednesday, November 12 9:30 AM
St. Patrick's Church
1425 Iowa Street Dubuque, IA 52001