Ruth Eleanor Darula

Ruth (Radloff) Darula, (age 76) of Middleton, Wisconsin, passed away on April 21, 2023, at Attic Angel Place. She was born on January 25, 1947, in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. Ruth married Bob Darula on June 14, 1969, in Watertown, Wisconsin, and they were married for just shy of 54 years prior to her death. Her parents, Frank and Marion Radloff, and Bob’s parents, William and Mollie Darula, and her brother, David Radloff, preceded her in death.

Ruth received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin (Whitewater and Green Bay campuses). She taught Mathematics at Bullen Jr. High School in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and Advanced Mathematics and Computer Skill Applications in Business and Industry at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay, Wisconsin. In addition, her work experience included being Manager of Customer Service at Fort Howard Paper Company – Green Bay and owner, with her husband, of a Stretch & Sew Fabrics franchise in Green Bay.

After living in Green Bay for 27 years, Bob and Ruth retired early (2001 & 2002) to experience living in two other areas of the country prior to moving to the Attic Angel Continuous Care Community in Middleton/Madison, Wisconsin, in May 2016. This move was the result of Ruth’s diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease at The Mayo Clinic in 2006 and its progression. In addition to her Parkinson’s disease, she suffered from related side effects of the disease progression of 17 years and its medications.

Many friendships/fond memories were made in the Green Bay-Appleton area, and where they lived in an active retirement community in Bella Vista, Arkansas, and Lake Providence – a Del Webb active retirement community in the Nashville, Tennessee area, and currently the Madison area. Bob and Ruth were gone from Wisconsin for 14 years and traveled extensively during that time and before – reaching their goal of all 50 states, all the provinces of Canada, New Zealand, and many cruises.

Ruth is survived by her husband, Bob; her sister, Mary Birtzer and her three children, their spouses, and families in Minnesota; her sister-in-law, Paula Radloff and her two children, their spouses, and families in Virginia; Bob’s brother, Richard (Dorothy) Darula of Kenosha, Wisconsin, and their two children (living in Oregon and Florida), their spouses and families.

In addition to traveling, Ruth loved to read, play games, solve puzzles, teach and play Mah Jongg, play the piano/electronic keyboard, and listening to music. Ruth also enjoyed their time boating together and their Yorkshire Terrier pets over the years.

According to Ruth’s wishes, there will be no funeral or celebration of life service. Instead - she wishes that her family and friends on June 14 (flag day and the date of our wedding anniversary) simply raise a glass in her honor for a life well lived. Throughout her life she expressed being thankful for her happy marriage, many wonderful friendships, and meaningful work experiences. Ruth’s final wish is to thank Bob for all of his work and love in caring and supporting her over the years, her doctors, the staff/angels at Attic Angel Place and the Agrace Hospice staff.

If you are so inclined, memorial contributions can be made to Attic Angel (atticangel.org) or Agrace Hospice (agrace.org).