Paulette Fay (Woodward) Rucks, age 76, of Kronenwetter, passed away Friday, August 16, 2024, under Aspirus Hospice Home Care. She was born April 17, 1948, to the late Quentin and Theresa (Turzinski) Woodward.

Paulette graduated from D.C. Everest in 1966. She married the love of her life, John Paul Rucks, at St. Marks Catholic Church in Rothschild, Wisconsin, on July 16, 1966. Together they raised their two daughters, Amy and Allison. In 1988 they welcomed their granddaughter, Natasha, who brought love and joy to her life. Tasha loved to make her grandma crack a smile, which led to lots of laughter. Some of Paulette's greatest joys were attending sports events and being her granddaughter's number one fan.

Paulette was first a homemaker and later worked at Marathon Electric, McDonalds, and Angelo's Pizza. Eventually she took a position at the Business Answering Service where she worked for 31 ½ years. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.

You could often find her at the Donut Shop having coffee with her mother and her best friend, Marilyn Jaecks. She was especially close to all her nieces and nephews, her aunt and best friend Jessie Drews, Cousin Diane Kasten, and her two friends Phyliss Bryzicki and Sheri Seubert. She also loved spending time with her two special great nephews Eli and Cole Degenhardt.

Paulette was an avid reader, an excellent cook, and an awesome baker. Preparing meals and hosting holidays was her passion. She especially loved baking cookies at Christmas and will always have the best chicken dumpling soup. Many summer days were spent at Mission and Man-Made Lakes, or at home in their family pool. Paulette gladly hosting parties with family and friends. She loved playing Cribbage, Yahtzee, and canasta, where she and her sister Jacci, were the "Queens of Cheating!"

Paulette is survived by her husband, John; daughters, Amy (Paul) Faust, and Allison Workman; and her granddaughter, Natasha Ngo-Rucks; as well as her step mother, Linda (Jerry Krueger) Woodward; sister Bernadette (Lester) Cater; her half siblings, Quentin Woodward Jr., Angel (Scott) Marten, and Cody (Tiffany Breske) Woodward; Brother-in-laws, Joseph (Lois) Wilhelm and Calvin Buelow; and her very special aunt, Sister Carolita Turzinski. She is further survived by her sisters-in-law, Ruby Lueth and Joann Johnson, as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, sister's Cindy Wilhelm and Jacci Buelow; brother Bradley Woodward; and nieces Katie Wilhelm and Autumn Woodward.

Paulette had a heart of gold and has left a very deep hole in many hearts. She was the strength and rock of the family. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

You were a beautiful person, someone who we admired and looked up to.

A mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at St. Marks Catholic Church, 602 Military Road, Rothschild, WI 54474. Visitation will take place from 9:00 am until the time of services at the church. Burial will take place at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Kronenwetter, following the service.

Our family would like to extend a special thank you to Aspirus Hospital staff and specifically Ying, at Aspirus Dialysis Center, as she always would go the extra mile to make Paulette comfortable. We also want to thank Aspirus Home Hospice for their dedication and care of Paulette through this difficult time.

John J Buettgen is assisting the family with services. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.honorone.com