De Wayne Dean Ruppert

De Wayne D. Ruppert, 97, passed away Friday June 20, 2025 at the V.A. Hospital, with his loving family by his side. He was born June 24, 1927 in Newton, IA. to Levi and Grace (Mc Pherson) Ruppert.

He attended High School during WWII. While in High School, the Army called upon him, so he went into the service. He was young, just 18, when he got his orders. He went down to New Orleans and from there he was sent to Fort Sill. They were on what they called the Victory Boat going down towards the Panama Canal. After two years in the Army, he got an honorable discharge and went home. He stated to the folks at the V.A. and Senior Center, that his time in the military taught him respect. He said it was good for him.

Back home, one of his friends and co-workers invited him to see a live band play at a bar on a Saturday night. There were four band members, including one girl who played the accordion. When they came down to visit during a break, this girl stood next to where he was and as he use to tell it “When I looked up at her, I thought, oh my God, is she a beauty”. He looked up at her, she looked at him, and that was it. From that point on, he went there every Saturday night. The two were married on July 1, 1950 in East Troy at the Methodist church and had a nice reception at the community center.

They moved around a few times. Eventually, they settled in Janesville, WI, where he had a long career as a Shipping Forman at Norwood Mills. They raised four wonderful kids, Cheryl, Thomas, Michele and Tammy, who had children, whose children had children, too many to count. He stated often that he was grateful. He had a good life and “All I can say is that I was lucky”.

De Wayne was happiest when he was vacationing with his family in Northern Wisconsin. He loved boating and fishing.

He will be dearly missed by his children Cheryl (David) Starks, Thomas (Nancy) Ruppert, Michele Ruppert, Tammy (Paul) Caravello, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara J. Ruppert.

His Burial will be in Sunset Memory Gardens, Madison on July 11, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. We will be saying special prayers and sharing memories.

A special thank you to the staff at Agrace Hospice Care and the V.A. Hospital Madison, WI. Thank you for looking out for our Dad!

Please share your of De Wayne by posting in his guestbook. 

Cress Center

6021 University Ave. Madison

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