RUTH HART
RUTH HART
The Bible says that the fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Ruth left this earth peacefully Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, after a lifetime of mirroring these beautiful traits.
Ruth was born May 9, 1929, to Augusta and Gustave Thelke in Ripon, WI, on their farm. After high school, she attended normal school to be a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse for children from kindergarten to eighth grade. Later she got her teaching degree at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. She then taught kindergarten in Neenah, WI, where she met the love of her life at a church group. Lyle A. Hart and Ruth married June 25, 1960. They moved to Ames, IA, where Lyle attended Veterinary school. While in Ames, Jane and Sally were born in 1961 and 1962 respectively. They moved to Bristol, WI, for Lyle’s first job after his graduation in 1963. Shortly after this, the family was established in Black River Falls (BRF), as Lyle began his own veterinary practice. Gail was born in 1964 in BRF. They spent over 50 years at 611 Tyler Street. She was always busy helping others and running the home so Lyle could focus on his veterinary business. Their home was always open for meals with friends, laughter and love. She instilled the love of learning in her children and grandchildren and was always teaching in her own special way - with crossword puzzles, reading newspapers and magazines, and doing projects of all sorts. Her faith was very important to her, and she shared this with her family on a daily basis.
As a stay-at-home mother, Ruth was a dedicated mother to her daughters as well as an active volunteer in the United Methodist Church and a Sunday school teacher. Early in their marriage, she spent many weekends square dancing with Lyle. She was a Blue Bird and Camp Fire Girl leader; she volunteered at the hospital auxiliary (Pink Lady) and was western district president of the auxiliary, delivered meals on wheels, visited shut-ins and played piano at nursing homes; she attended prayer group, homemakers and church circles. She baked for funerals. She sang in the church choir and was a lay speaker and wrote for the church newsletter. She raised money for charities and read to children at the library. She received the Women in History Award in 2001 for her community service in Jackson County.
Ruth is survived by her three daughters, Jane (Fred) Oyler, Sally (Ken) Uting and Gail (Darrel) Holmes. In addition, Ruth was blessed with 10 grandchildren, including Daniel (Stephanie) Uting, Philip Thomas, Alyssa (Curtis) Oldham, Beth (Patrick) Nastachowski, Eric (Amanda) Uting, Lindsay (Chris) Jazwinski, Lindsey (Taylor) Patterson, Alexis (Serafin) Lachino, Ian Oyler (Lindsey Zblewski) and Isaac Holmes. She was blessed with 10 great-grandchildren, Blake; Andrew, Elliot; Zoe, Samuel, Noah; Harrison, Arthur; Eleanor; and Liam, who has a sister on the way in May.
She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings and their spouses, Vernon (Lois Thelke) and Florence Williams (James); and her husband, Lyle.
Ruth’s daughters want to thank the certified nursing assistants who so lovingly cared for Mom at Morrow Community Home - Bridge Path. They loved her and we heard them tell her this so often. We also want to thank Gundersen Hospice for their care and empathy in Ruth’s last few days.
Memorials can be given to the United Methodist Church in Black River Falls or to Interfaith.
The funeral was held at the United Methodist Church in Black River Falls Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, at 11 a.m. Pastor Inwha Shon officiated. Family and friends were invited to visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
The Torgerson’s Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements, 715-284-4321.