Susan E. Ruckman

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Susan Elizabeth Ruckman, age 71, on Saturday, May 2, 2026. She was born on March 25, 1955, in New Orleans, LA, the second of four children of Stephen and Marcella (Lorsbach) Farkas. Susan graduated from Marquette High School in Alton, IL and earned her Associates of Applied Science in Respiratory Therapy from Maryville University in St. Louis, MO.

Susan started her impressive 47-year career in the medical field in Alton in 1975. She spent the majority of her time at Saint Anthony’s Hospital and Saint Clare’s Hospital, both in Alton, before transitioning to Christian Hospital (Northeast) in St. Louis where she eventually retired. Susan was passionate about her profession. She was dedicated to caring for others and touched the lives of many people over the years working in respiratory therapy, home health care and teaching CPR classes. After retirement, Susan enjoyed staying busy volunteering at the Wildlife Rescue Center in Ballwin and taking care of the baby squirrels was her favorite activity.

Her true passion was gardening. She was a member of the Mississippi Valley Garden Club in Illinois for many years and more recently joined the O’Fallon MO Garden Club as well. She was an active member of both associations, helping to coordinate many of their events and caring for other organizations’ gardens with fellow members. Susan enjoyed sharing this passion with others. She loved to spend time working in her own yard and garden, tending to a wide variety of plants and flowers. Susan also adored all kinds of birds and always had several different kinds of bird feeders in her backyard.

Susan was a loving and dedicated mother, raising three boys. Over the years she enjoyed spending time on sewing projects, other crafts, camping, and family vacations. She gained her favorite title as grandma 10 years ago and has loved every minute with her two grandchildren. Their favorite activities were cooking and baking together, and she always had a fun craft or game to play.

Susan is survived by her children Chris Ruckman (Jennifer) of O’Fallon, MO, Jared Ruckman (Andrew) of Beverly, MA, and Tyler Ruckman of St. Louis, MO; her two grandchildren, Mackenzie and Lucas; and her siblings, Laura Farkas of Maryland Heights, MO, Teresa (David) Wagner of Westerville, OH, and Stephen (Kim) Farkas of Brighton, IL.

Visitation will be on Friday, May 8 from 4-7 p.m. with services on Saturday, May 9 at 2 p.m. at Baue Funeral Home Cave Springs, 3950 W Clay St., St. Charles, MO. Memorials may be made to Wildlife Rescue Center, Mississippi Valley Garden Club, or O’Fallon MO Garden Club,308 East 5th St., O'Fallon, IL 62269.