Bonnie “Ruth” Drahota

 

Bonnie “Ruth” Drahota, 95, of Pigeon Falls, and formerly of Florida, died Thursday, October 21, 2021, at Pigeon Falls Health Care Center in Pigeon Falls.

Bonnie was born December 28, 1925, in Garth, KY, to Lackey and Lula (Allen) Salisbury. She married Joseph John Drahota, June 28, 1950, in Sarona, WI. Joseph preceded Bonnie in death in 1998.

Ruth grew up in the hills of southeastern Kentucky in a family of nine children. Education was important to Ruth and her siblings, starting with a two-room schoolhouse down the road from her home. She attended Berea College in Kentucky, completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics at the age of twenty. Ruth later earned a degree in Social Work from UW–Superior, and a Master’s Degree in Vocational Rehabilitation from the UW–Stout.

Ruth’s work world included being the bookkeeper for family businesses, including potato farming and a sport shop in the Stone Lake, WI, area and various Vocational Rehabilitation facilities including many years at Goodwill Industries in Florida as an evaluator.

Ruth became proficient in many crafts, art forms and needlework in addition to professional cake decorating. She was active as a 4-H leader who learned and taught projects to many members. She was a prolific reader who read all genres and encouraged others by gifting them with books. Ruth was a member of Saint John’s Catholic Church in Whitehall.

Ruth and Joseph raised five children. She is survived by three daughters: Carmen (Jeff) Johnston of Pigeon Falls, Martha (Paul) Norton of New Hope, MN, and Patricia Drahota of Saginaw, MI; four grandchildren: Zach (Andrea Werlein) Johnston, Sarah (Reid Block) Johnston, Jacob Norton and Noah (Kai Saito) Norton; two sisters, Linda (Milton) Roeth of Maryland and Pearl Waddles of Kentucky; two sisters-in-law: Margaret Ward of Pigeon Falls and Marie Ann Rathband of Wyoming; many nieces and nephews and a multitude of kinfolk in Kentucky.

In addition to her parents and husband, Ruth was preceded in death by two sons: David and Andrew; three brothers: Fred, Tavis and David (baby); and four sisters: Lillian, Helen, Goldie and Peggy.

Graveside services will be held Thursday, October 28, 2021, at 10:30 a.m., at Sarona Cemetery in Sarona. Father Phil Juza will officiate.

Memorials to honor Ruth’s memory may be given to a library or church of your choice.

Jack Funeral Home in Whitehall is assisting the family with arrangements.

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