Sturtevant Resident Contributes Her Time and Talents to Making the Village Beautiful

Rose Woodruff has not only found a way to beautify Sturtevant, but also her life.

Woodruff has been a Sturtevant resident for over half her life, and when she began to start making positive changes in her personal life, she saw the possibility to make positive changes in her community as well. She was inspired and now she is paying that forward by inspiring others with The Sturtevant Beautification Committee. 

Thirty years ago, when Woodruff was 38, she decided to quit smoking. Amidst that time of renewal she also began exercising, and since then, she has not missed a day! During walks through her neighborhood, she would often feel de-energized and disappointed by the lack of care the plant life in the area received. “Has-been” flower beds and uncared for parks were an eyesore to her so once she retired from her job as a Grants Accountant at University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Woodruff decided to do something about it. 

After her UW-Parkside position she worked part-time for the UW-Extension as a Horticulture Assistant for three years. With the experience she gained from that  job and finding she finally had some extra time, she chose to get her hands dirty. In the beginning of 2003, she wrote several large grants and to her delight, she was awarded every single one. That initial funding was the stepping stone for the Sturtevant Beautification Project. 

This pursuit has benefited Woodruff's life as well as her surroundings. Whether it is creating plant beds to sell to citizens or planting flowers in front of local businesses, she gets so much out of what was originally simply a desire for a prettier stroll.  

“I love to work in the soil and producing beautiful plants is so rewarding,” Woodruff shared, “Additionally, I have made so many wonderful friends on this committee and because of their hard work, it has all been possible.”

At the end of the planting season, Woodruff said she often feels exhausted from all the hard physical labor. Sometimes she wonders if she will have the stamina to continue the following year, but after a winter of rest and recharging, she greets the arrival of spring with enthusiasm, new ideas and the strength to start again.

When Woodruff is not digging, pruning and rooting, she is spending time with her husband, Jon,  her three daughters and four grandchildren.  

“I make it a point to attend most of my grandchildren's activities,” she stated.

Woodruff also takes time to knit, crochet, preserve vegetables and she belongs to two different book clubs. She certainly lives out her personal motto, “You find the time to do the things you love.” 

If you are interested in volunteering or donating to The Sturtevant Beautification Project, please call Woodruff at (262) 886.3282 or email jwoodruff96@wi.rr.com