Ruth Curtiss

Ruth Thompson Curtiss, 97, of Darlington, WI, died June 14 at Waunakee Manor having lived a life filled to the brim with love, curiosity, compassion, intellect and vitality. Her relentless appetite for new challenges and opportunities to contribute, as well as her empathy for those less fortunate, was practiced the entirety of her life.
Ruth was born in Washington, D.C., and as a toddler lost her father to the influenza epidemic of the early 20th century. Her proud Norwegian Mother, Hannah, moved Ruth and her two young siblings to Stoughton, WI, where her mother taught home economics and raised all three children to graduate from the university. In high school, Ruth was a member of two Wisconsin state championship debate teams and graduated tied for valedictorian. At the University of Wisconsin in Madison she graduated summa cum laude in economics and pre-law while working for a local law firm.
While at the University, Ruth met a tall drink of water journalism student named E. Bowden Curtiss, whom she would marry in 1942 and practice a vibrant love for 58 years until Bowden's death in 2000.
After Bowden returned from WWII, they bought the Republican Journal newspaper in Darlington, WI, that they co-published from 1948 until their retirement in 1981. In addition to writing a popular weekly column during most of those years, Ruth spent many hours a week on the business side. On press day no page escaped her scrupulous proofreading eye.
Beyond the newspaper and her devotion to her five children, Ruth maintained a tireless commitment to the betterment of Darlington. She was one of the leaders in securing voter support for the public swimming pool and an unrelenting advocate and organizer for support of the current high school. Also, let us never forget her unwavering support of the Democratic Party, her lifetime passion for books and her addiction to the game of bridge.
Ruth is preceded in death by her husband E. Bowden Curtiss and her brother Carl Thompson and sister, Helen Ratchford. She is survived by three daughters, Pat Rielly and her husband Patrick, Catherine Smith and her husband Richard, and Sarah Curtiss and her partner William Solis, and two sons, Tod Curtiss and his wife Fran, and Steve Curtiss.
Also survived by five grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, August 22nd, 2015 at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Rd., Madison. Friends and family may call from Noon until time of service. Memorials can be gifted to the Friendship Fund, P.O. Box 102, Darlington, WI 53530. Please share your memories at www.CressFuneralService.com

Cress Funeral and Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
(608) 238-3434