Ruth M. Culver, 84, of Prairie du Sac - Published October 8, 2008
Ruth M. Culver, 84, of Prairie du Sac, died on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008 at Maplewood of Sauk Prairie in Sauk City.
Mrs. Culver was born in Pickett on July 22, 1924, the daughter of the late Casper and Kathryn (Weber) Peppler. She met the love of her life, George Culver, in 1943 and they married on Oct. 28, 1944. They were wonderful partners in business together starting with the A&W Drive-In in Sauk City in 1961. They later purchased the Farm Kitchen Resort at the entrance of Devils Lake State Park and operated that with their family until the mid-70s. Later they re-purchased the A&W Restaurant in Sauk City and eventually co-founded Culver's Frozen Custard Restaurants on that same location.
Mr. Culver was the entrepreneur of the businesses they operated through the years and she was the spirit--or the "Hospitality Queen." She had a knack of taking care of guests at the different restaurants they operated with a spirit of warmness that made guests feel welcomed--almost like they were guests at the Culver home.
Later, as Culver's Frozen Custard began to grow and prosper, Culver Franchising decided to create an award for Culver restaurants, which embodied the spirit of her warmness. The award is called the "Ruth." It is an award that is highly sought after by Culver Owner/Operators.
Mrs. Culver cherished the memories of serving so many different and wonderful guests in different Sauk County settings over the years. Many were or became friends. She also thought greatly of the different team members who have served with George and her over the years.
She and her husband were outstanding at surrounding themselves with great team members and they would tell you the successes they had were mainly because of them.
Mrs. Culver also knew how to have fun and that spirit transpired through to the people around her. "Ruthie," as many of her friends called her, was a grand lady. The Culver children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will greatly miss her. If there was something that brought a sparkle to her eyes during her last days, it was her precious grandchildren and great-grandchildren. And, of course, the love of her life, George, will miss her like no other.
Mrs. Culver is survived by her husband, George, of Prairie du Sac; three children, Georgia (James) Littlepage, of Fairview, Texas, Craig (Lea) Culver, of Prairie du Sac and Curt (Sue) Culver, of Chenequa; seven grandchildren, Brad Bishop, Brent (Tana) Bishop, Brittany (Mike) Chrisler, Mandy Culver, Chelsea Culver, Patrick (Jessica) Culver and Christine Culver; three great-grandchildren; five siblings, Fritz (Eileen) Zitzer, Kathryn (Jim) Martel, Dave Peppler, Leah (Jack) Kolterjohn, and Ruben (Judy) Peppler; other relatives and many friends.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by seven siblings.
Funeral services were Oct. 6 at the St. John's Lutheran Evangelical Church in Prairie du Sac with Pastor Fred Rilling officiating. Burial was in the Prairie du Sac Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. John's Lutheran Church, Culver's VIP Scholarship Foundation, or a charity of choice.