Juanita O. Rufledt

        With the same grace and dignity she lived her life, Juanita O. Rufledt, left this life on Sunday, May 26, 2024 at MCHS in Eau Claire, at the of age 99.  She was born on a farm in the Township of Auburn in Chippewa county.  She was the 4^th child of Ephraim and Myrtle (Durand) Bitney.  

           Her family moved into Bloomer when she was three years old. She attended school in Bloomer from kindergarten through 12th grade.

           In 1943, she was accepted into the Luther Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1946. She was a member of the US Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II as a registered nurse.

            In July 1945, Juanita married 1^st Lieutenant Howard Rufledt in Houston Texas. When Howard was discharged from the Army Air Corps, his father, Herman, bought them a dairy farm next to his and gave them 15 Cows.  In 1960 they bought the home farm in the town of Cleveland and that is where they spent the rest of their lives.

            Juanita was a very busy person. She was an ever present mother for her five children. Juanita had a large garden and canned and froze hundreds of quarts of vegetables and fruit. She sewed clothing, cooked, baked and was an accomplished seamstress.

            She helped outside with the farm work driving tractor, picking tons of rock, caring for young stock, and raising calves.  Every cow on the farm for 50 years was one of her babies.

            Juanita was an active member of the Bloomer United Methodist Church as long as she was able. She was part of the mission church and made many warm quilts to give away, as well as being a willing worker in the kitchen.

            She enjoyed flea markets, garage and estate sales and researching her families genealogy back to the 1600s. She never sat idle, her hands were always busy crocheting, knitting, embroidering or doing crafts.

She is survived by her daughter:  Marlene (Tim) Olson;  sons:  David (Nancy), Daniel and Roger Rufledt; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; brother: Dale (Rita) Bitney; sister-in-law: Kay Bitney; numerous nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

            She was preceded in death by her parents: Ephraim and Myrtle;  husband:   Howard;  son:  Lawrence; sisters:  Ardis Bitney, Nadine Nehring Gomulak, Marlyss Lee; brothers:  Norman, Zane, Verlyn and Waldron Bitney; grandson: Lawrence Jr. 

            A graveside service will be held on later date in the Auburn Cemetery.  Olson Funeral Home and Cremation Center is assisting the family.  Memorials may be directed to the Bloomer United Methodist Church.