Eugene L. Ruffing, 84, of Marshfield died Friday, Feb. 9, 2012 at Ministry Saint Josephs Hospital in Marshfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with the Rev. Peter Manickam officiating. Music will be provided by the Sacred Heart Funeral Choir along with Dorothy Gehrke as organist and burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Matt Gallagher, Gene Hilgart, Jerry Harvey, John Fawley, Donald Winch and Darryl LaVigne. Visitations will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Rembs Funeral Home and again from 9:30 a.m. until time of the services Thursday at the church. There will be a Parish and Knights of Columbus rosary service Wednesday, 6:30pm at the funeral home. Eugene was born April 4, 1927, in Marshfield to Alphonse and Ida (Kotten) Ruffing. He attended Sacred Heart Grade School and graduated in 1945 from Marshfield Senior High School. He farmed with his father on the family farm in the town of Cameron and took agribusiness classes at Mid- State Technical College. He continued enriching his career in agriculture with classes and seminars for almost 35 years. He married Emily Swetz on June 24, 1953 at St. James Catholic Church in Vesper. Eugene and Emily took over the family farm in 1956. He farmed in the Town of Cameron his entire life and was active in town government. He was a former member of the Town of Cameron zoning board, a former member of the volunteer fire department and he was a former treasurer of the Town of Cameron for 36 years. Along with dairy farming, he owned and operated the Ruffing seed oats business for 30 years. In 1961 he received the Jaycees Outstanding Young Farmer Award. He was a former director of the Central Wisconsin Cooperative for 9 years. He and his son farmed together for 10 years and he retired in 1995. He continued to remain active in daily farm activities. Eugene was a member of Sacred Heart Church his entire life and he was also a member of the Knights of Columbus. He loved to dance and he and Emily taught square dancing to 4-H youth. He enjoyed traveling to visit his family and friends and spending time with his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Emily, a son, Patrick Ruffing of Marshfield, a daughter, Julie (Edward) Gallagher of Douala, Cameroon and two grandchildren, Matthew Gallagher and Caitlin Gallagher. He is also survived by a sister, Elaine Becher of Marshfield , 2 sisters-in-law, Irene Rohmeyer and Mary LaVigne and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Linus Fred Ruffing. Memorials in his name may be designated to Sacred Heart Catholic Church or the Marshfield Clinic for Cancer Reseach. Emily loved Eugene every day of their lives together and she thanked God for every challenge, blessing, and every precious hour that they shared. Their 58 years of marriage has been a wonderful journey. Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com Visitation: 4-7pm and a hour prior at the church on February 15, 2012 at Rembs Funeral Home, Marshfield, WI Service: 10:30am on February 16, 2012 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Marshfield,WI