Ruth lived with her parents and many siblings on a small family farm in the Ocooch Mountains & Kickapoo River Valley of Vernon County during the first 18 years of her life. During those years she enjoyed working with her father caring for the dairy cows, the chickens, and the sheep.

 

Ruth graduated Valedictorian of the class of 1972 at Brookwood High School, then left Vernon County for 18 years to pursue higher education, including a Bachelor of Science degree at University of Wisconsin-Stout, an internship at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, a Master of Public Health degree at the University of Minnesota, and a 2 year post graduate Rural Leadership program through UW-Madison.

 

Ruth worked a dual career as a Registered Dietitian and a Registered Food Sanitarian in health service organizations and in food industries for 27 years at various locations throughout the country.  Upon her semi-retirement she returned to Vernon County, Wisconsin and acquired organic cash crop farms near Avalanche & Wilton from which she harvests maple sap. 

 

Ruth owns Maple Farmers Network, LLC (maple products processing, packaging, distribution) and Logan Mill Lodge, LLC (vacation rental business) in Westby. Ruth also has served as Real Estate Brokers since 1999. Ruth’s Real Estate office in downtown Westby is in a Railroad Museum & her goal is to keep her clients "on track" to good real estate decisions!