Barbara "Barb" A. Rugotzke

Barbara Ann Rugotzke went home to be with her Lord & Savior on Saturday January 31, 2026 at her home in Eau Claire, WI after a fierce, long battle with cancer. She knew that her cancer was not curable, but she faced it with great grace & courage - never complaining or asking "why me?" With her eternal optimism, she believed she would win this battle up until the very end.

Barb was born September 18, 1944 in Thorp, WI where she was raised.  She was joined in marriage with Thomas Rugotzke on April 29, 1967. They were introduced by her friend, (Tom's sister) whom she worked with at American National Bank. Barb & Tom resided in Eau Claire, then later moved to the Augusta area.

Barb/Barbie/Babs was sunshine in human form & was adored by all who met her with her endless amount of love, patience, kindness & generosity. She was devoted to her faith & practiced it daily.

Barb had a love of tending to her flower garden, making beautifully crafted cards, cooking & baking, hosting holiday gatherings with her tradition of plentiful amounts of food. She enjoyed puzzles, decorating for every season - Christmas being her favorite. Barb loved music, the theater & playing piano.  As a volunteer, her most notable events were as a Methodist Sunday School teacher & initiated a program for an alcohol free, safe environment for graduating seniors of Augusta High School at the local bowling alley.  After her retirement from working as a Bookkeeper at Brunzlick Trucking, she started working full time as a grandmother - always available & never turning away an opportunity to attend to her grandchildren. Above all else, Barb's purpose in life was to care for her children & grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents Hester Glasshof (Bradshaw) & Chester Glasshof, son Scott Rugotzke, sisters Diane Kocher & Judith Alger. She is survived by her husband, Thomas Rugotzke, daughters Leta Rugotzke & Kelly Rugotzke, grandchildren Camryn Rugotzke & Ariel Henkel, brother Keith (Gretchen) Glasshof, many deeply loved nieces & nephews, cousins, and so many near & dear friends.

A Funeral Service for Barbara will be held on Friday, February 13, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Lake Street United Methodist Church in Eau Claire, with a visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Pastor Jerry Morris will be officiating. Barb will be laid to rest at Forest Hill Cemetery.

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