Ruth Mae Thompson

Ruth Mae Thompson, age 90, of Eau Claire passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, March 5, 2026.

Ruth was born May 24, 1935, in Trempealeau County to Theodore and Nina (Olson) Berg, the fifth of thirteen children.

Ruth met Rodney Thompson during their freshman year at Whitehall Memorial High School. They married on October 30, 1954, while Rodney was on military leave. Together they lovingly raised their six children. Ruth worked in various occupations while raising her children and later continued her career as an administrative assistant for the Trempealeau County Register of Deeds, retiring in 1991.

After retirement, Ruth and Rodney spent many years traveling the United States and visited many countries including Japan and China. Ruth enjoyed playing bridge several times a week and was known as a quick and fierce player. On the long, dark days of winter, Ruth spent many hours crafting beautiful handmade quilts. Her quilts will be loved and cherished by family members for years to come.

Ruth is survived by her children, Jayne (Donald) Reck, Mark (Rochelle) Thompson, Valerie (Phillip) Crowe, Sue (Brian) Wiechmann, Eric (Atsuko) Thompson, and Leif (Alvania) Thompson; 13 grandchildren, Sarah (Matthew) Price, Paul (Megan) Reck, Kendra (Dan) Walter, Jacob (Carrie) Thompson, Jordan (Kyle) Moorhead, Mackenzie (Evan) Crowe-Mayo, Trisha Qualy (Ben Thurn), Maddie Qualy, Lia Thompson, Nina (Jake) Pacheco, Erika (Logan) Johnson, and Alec and Avery Thompson; and 11 great-grandchildren, Lillian, Ada, June, and Rose Reck, Violet and Alice Walter, Emmett and Roderick Thompson, Griffin and Hollis Crowe-Mayo, and Hennepin Qualy Thurn.

She is also survived by her brother, Vernal (Rita) Berg, and sisters, Beverly (James) Combs, Phyllis (Everett) Schleef, and Cathryn (Peter) Stedman.

Ruth was preceded in death by her loving husband of 63 years, Rodney, in 2017 and siblings Kenneth, Laurel, Ethel, Lloyd, David, Diane, Robert and James.

The family will be holding private services on Friday, March 13

Cremation Society of Wisconsin, Altoona, is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.cremationsociety-wi.com.