Jose Ruben De La Rosa

Jose "Ruben" De La Rosa, age 75, of Ripon, WI passed away on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, surrounded by his dedicated wife and children.

Ruben was born on January 1, 1951, in Laredo, Texas, son of Leonides and Francisca (Don Juan) De La Rosa. Ruben married the love of his life, Maria Elizondo, on March 17, 1979. Together, they shared 47 years of marriage. They shared a lifetime of love, laugher, and unwavering partnership.

Ruben was a man of hard work and got to enjoy early retirement from Seneca Foods, Ripon. His new hobbies included weekly golf rounds with friends and boating with family. He was dedicated to his family and friends and always provided a helping hand to the ones he loved. He enjoyed the great outdoors and tinkering around the house with many projects. Throughout his life, he consistently lived out his faith by serving others and being an active member of the Knights of Columbus.

Ruben was an avid San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Cowboys, Wisconsin Badger’s Football and Brewer’s fan. He would enjoy watching sports with his family and friends. Ruben will be remembered for his specialty in “palomita” making, fajita grilling, love for Mexican music and dancing, along with his genuine love for a life, always cracking a joke with that De La Rosa smile.

Ruben was most proud of being a father to his four children- Monica, Jose, Robert, and Christina- teaching them the value of hard work and the reward that it provides with life-long dedication. He ensured that the next generation was left with education, work ethic, compassion for others, loyalty and how to love endlessly. Known as “guelo” to his seven grandchildren- Alexander, Claire, Estella, Lucas, Cecilia, Marshall, and Lucia- he always spoke of each of them with a soft heart and great pride, and enjoyed supporting their interests and hobbies, including youth sports and school activities. Ruben is survived by his wife, Maria (Elizondo) De La Rosa, of Ripon, WI; his children, Monica De La Rosa of Lodi, Jose (Vanessa) De La Rosa of Stoughton, Robert (Katie) De La Rosa of Green Bay, and Christina (Tom) De La Rosa-Dickerson of Thiensville.

Ruben is further survived by brothers and sisters, Juanita Velez, Teresa (Elias) Lopez, Leonides De La Rosa Jr., Raul (Debbie) De La Rosa, and Dora (Chris) Serna; and countless nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonides and Francisca De La Rosa; brother, Ernesto De La Rosa; godmother, Tomasa De La Rosa; and nephew, Fracisco Lopez.

The De La Rosa Family would like to thank the doctors and nurses in the Center for Advanced Care at Froedtert Hospital for their support and care through the last several months.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts to support the Center for Advanced Care can be made out to the Froedtert Hospital Foundation, Attn: Office of Institutional Advancement, P.O. Box 26509, Milwaukee, WI 53226. Gifts may also be made online at froedtert.com/giving/foundation/ways-to-give. 

Visitation for Ruben will be held from 9:00 until 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 228 E. Blossom St., Ripon, WI 54971.

A Funeral Mass for Ruben will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, with Fr. Chuck Wrobel officiating. You may view a livestream of the funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. by visiting this link LIVESTREAM. Ruben will be laid to rest in a private burial in Mequon, WI.

"El día que yo me muera, No voy a llevarme nada, Hay que darle gusto al gusto, La vida pronto se acaba."