Ruth S. Buck

Ruth was born December 5, 1935, in Lincoln County, daughter of Harry and Erna (Berndt) Schulz. She married Lloyd Buck on May 22, 1954, in Merrill. He preceded her in death on June 28, 2008. Ruth worked in the cafeteria at Church Mutual Insurance in Merrill, did housekeeping work for families in the Merrill area, and worked for many years at the voting polls in Pine River. Most of her time was spent helping on the family farm in the Town of Pine River.

Ruth enjoyed working on the family farm. Some of her favorite things to do were vegetable and flower gardening, and helping her husband make maple syrup. In 2024, Ruth received the Sesquicentennial Farm Award for 150 years of continuous family ownership.

Ruth was a member of St. Stephens United Church of Christ, Merrill. She was involved in the church’s Dorcas Society and with other volunteer opportunities including working in the kitchen. Ruth also belonged to the Birthday Club and the Lincoln County Homemakers.

Ruth loved baking, crafts, and fishing at the cabin. She also enjoyed playing cards, especially Sheephead with family and friends. Ruth liked listening to polka music and watching polka shows, especially Mollie B. She also enjoyed watching the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, and Wisconsin Badgers.

Survivors include her daughters, Mavis (Scott) Bonke of Gleason and Lynn (Timothy) Seidler of Merrill; son, David (Cheryl) Buck of Merrill; daughter-in-law, Laurie Buck of Merrill; grandchildren, Rachel (Dan) Reisig, Matthew Buck, Amy Buck, Paul Buck, Benjamin (Breann) Bonke, Tasha (Jeff) Rasmussen, Nicole Seidler (fiancé Stephen Heili), and Molly Seidler; great grandchildren, Alex Reisig, Noah Rasmussen, Lily Rasmussen, Owen Bonke, and Conrad Bonke; sisters, Dorothy Hagedorn of Merrill, Elaine Hoff of Merrill, and Barbara Turner of Florida; brothers, Ralph Schulz of Merrill, and Jerome Schulz of New London, WI; and several nieces and nephews.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Erna Schulz; husband, Lloyd Buck, Sr.; son, Lloyd Buck, Jr.; brothers, Lylas Schulz and Edgar Schulz; sister-in-law, Bernice Schulz; and brothers-in-law, Milton Hagedorn, Donald W. Hoff, and Arthur F. Turner.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Friday, July 11, 2025, at Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation – 903 E. Third St., Merrill. The Rev. Amy Heimerl will officiate. Burial will take place in Calvary Lutheran Cemetery, Town of Pine River, Lincoln County. The family will receive friends beginning at 9:00 A.M., Friday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Ruth’s name be made to a charity of your choice.

Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.taylorstinewaid.com.