Lawanda J (Lundberg) Ruff

LaWanda J. (Lundberg) Ruff, 93, of Avon, passed away at 12:25 p.m., Sunday, November 26, 2023, at the Knox County Nursing Home, Knoxville, Illinois. She was born October 8, 1930, in Orange Township, Knox County, Illinois, the daughter of Walter E. Lundberg and Genevieve J. Brocklehurst. She was raised and educated in the DeLong and Knoxville area, graduating from Gilson High School in 1948.

She married Emmerson F. Ruff on March 20, 1949, in the Knoxville United Methodist Church and he preceded her in death on September 9, 2012. LaWanda worked at the Avon Unit School District from 1969 to 1997 and served as the food service manager from 1984 until her retirement in 1997.

Those left to cherish her memory are her children; Dennis (Cathy) Ruff of Avon, Bruce (Tami) Ruff of Avon, Mary Ann (Jeff) Jones of Denver, North Carolina, Robert (Linda) Ruff of Downers Grove, Illinois, daughter-in-law, Joyce Ruff of Pontiac, Illinois. 17 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, one sister, Helen Ehrenhart of Cambridge, Illinois, several nieces and nephews also survive.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, son, Michael Ruff, one granddaughter, Maranda Jones, and her brother Walter V. Lundberg.

Mom’s (LaWanda’s) main role in her life was that of a loving, self-less, tireless wife, mom, and grandma. She never missed a birthday, graduation, holiday, or wedding celebration for her large family.  As her family spread beyond the Avon area, she never lost touch with what every child, grandchild, and great-grandchild was doing and would always say tell them “Hello” and that she was thinking about them when she couldn’t tell them herself.  She enjoyed looking at Facebook and was generous in clicking the “Like” button to express her enjoyment!

Mom was a life-long St Louis Cardinal fan. She remembered going to a game as a young girl and continued to enjoy going to games throughout her life. She named her dog Yadi after her favorite Cardinal player.

In addition, Mom was a staunch Democrat to the point of refusing to have anything with an elephant on it in her house.

She was known to make beautifully decorated angel food cakes for family birthdays. Mom loved to go to the County Fairs, State Fair, and in particular the Avon Fat Steer show.

Mom and Dad along with Mom’s sister (Helen) and brother (“Sonny”) went on numerous Caribbean cruises. They enjoyed spending time together and shared many laughs and memories.

Mom was very proud of the fact that she lived alone on the family farm and was still mowing her own yard at 92.

It’s incredibly hard to sum up our Mom’s life in a few short lines. She was loved, relied upon, respected, and valued beyond measure.  Perhaps the below poem will serve to describe our Mom to all of you and the memory that will remain with ALL of us forever.

You can only have one mother, patient, kind and true; No other friend in all the world, will be the same to you. When other friends forsake you, to mother you will return. For all her loving kindness, she asks nothing in return. As we look upon her picture, sweet memories we recall—of a face so full of sunshine, and a smile for one and all. Sweet Jesus, take this message, to our dear mother up above. Tell her how much we miss her and give her all our love.

Cremation rites have been accorded with a Celebration of Life to be held Saturday, June 1, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Storm Shelter in Avon. Memorial contributions may be made to the Avon Fat Steer Show or the Avon Public Library and left in the care of the funeral home. Moore Memorial Home, Avon, is handling the arrangements.