Ruth M. Dufrane

Ruth M. DuFrane, 82, of Fond du Lac, passed away peacefully with her family by her side, on Sunday, March 14, 2021 at her home. She was born on October 14, 1938, in Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter of Arthur and Dorothy (Heaney) Baumann. On November 13, 1955, she married John DuFrane at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Fond du Lac. Together they raised five children. Ruth worked at Pranges for many years in the drapery department. Later she worked at Interstate Val-Weld before she found her calling in her beloved Mouse Factory. Ruth was “Mother Mouse” at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Fond du lac. She was passionate and devoted to the mouse factory ministry. She was the designer of many of the mice in the collection and lead the Mouse Factory for 20 years.



She is survived by five children, John (Holly) DuFrane, Jean (Dennis) Hensen, Debra (Scott) Krueger, Paul (Sara) DuFrane , all of Fond du Lac, and James (Gale) DuFrane of Sturgeon Bay, WI; ten grandchildren, Julie (Erik) Bergen, Marcus (Brittany) DuFrane, Danielle (Curt) Schaefer, Mike (Angela) Hensen, Matthew (Danielle) DuFrane, Tyler DuFrane, Stephanie (Jeremiah) Buchanan, Katie (Matthew) Salzman, Amber (Travis Bartow) DuFrane, and Amy (Neil) McKeown; seventeen great grandchildren; and two great great grandchildren. Ruth is further survived by her seven siblings, Sandra Pieper of AZ, Ronald (Beth Peters) Baumann, Bonnie (Earl) Davies, Carol Grainger, Barbara (Joel) Blitzke of AZ, Betty (Thomas) Siewert, and Lyle (Kathy) Huth Jr.. She was preceded in death by her husband, John DuFrane Sr.; her father, Arthur Baumann; stepmother, Mabel Baumann; her mother, Dorothy Baumann Huth; and stepfather, Lyle Huth Sr.; and great granddaughter.



Visitation will take place from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM on Saturday, March 20, 2021 at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Fond du Lac. The memorial service will take place after the visitation at 12:00 PM. Cremation has taken place with entombment to follow at Shrine of Rest Mausoleum, Ledgeview Cemetery on Monday, March 22, 2021 at 10:00 AM.



Our family would like to thank all those who stopped by to visit her in her final months and to those who helped with her many doctor trips to Milwaukee.



Our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to her sister Carol Grainger for being her companion and friend and finally her trusted caregiver.





Guestbook and tribute wall may be found by visiting ueckerwitt.com.