Ruth Mary Miller, 92, died on Thursday May 15, 2014 at St. Camillus Retirement Community in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Ruth was born on December 14, 1921 to Nicholas and Anna Paustenbach in Medford, Wisconsin. Ruth graduated from Medford High School in 1940 and worked in Minneapolis, MN and Seattle, WA before enlisting in the WAVES, a reserve branch of the U.S. Navy in 1944. She met her future husband, Charles Miller, while stationed at Parris Island, South Carolina, as a Pharmacist Mate 2nd Class.
Ruth and Charles were married on June 22, 1946 in Medford and lived in Milwaukee, WI while Charles attended medical school at Marquette University. The couple moved to Monroe, WI in 1953 where they lived for more than 40 years and raised six children. Ruth enjoyed gardening, baking, sewing and dancing. She also enjoyed upholstery and staining and varnishing cabinetry and furniture. As a member of the hospital auxiliary, Ruth logged over 2,000 hours working in the St. Clare Hospital gift shop. She worked seasonally for the Swiss Colony and volunteered at the St. Victor's Catholic Grade School library.
In retirement, Ruth and Charles lived in Alamo, TX where Ruth enjoyed playing golf, bridge, Mexican Train, and working crossword puzzles. After Charles' death, Ruth moved to the San Camillo/St. Camillus senior living community in Wauwatosa, WI, where she continued to play bridge and Mexican Train and work the crossword puzzles. Ruth also enjoyed knitting and produced many prayer shawls, baby afghans and colorful washcloths for the San Camillo knitting group and for her family. She volunteered as an usher at the San Camillo chapel where she attended daily Mass, a tradition she kept up until her death. Ruth also had a strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and recited the rosary daily.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her brother and sister-in-law Robert and Leona Paustenbach; her brother and sister-in-law Thomas and Patricia Paustenbach; her sister Mickey and her sister and brother-in-law Kathryn and James Burdette. She is survived by her sons Harry of State College, PA; Charles and Heidi of Brookfield, WI; and Steven of Newport, OR; her daughters Ann and Thomas Persoon of Coralville, IA; Christine Hendrix of Foristell, MO; and Therese and Larry Rocole of Wind Lake, WI; 15 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Ruth treasured the family Christmas get-togethers, summer reunions at the lake and especially time spent with her babies. She will be missed.
A private memorial service for the family will be held for Ruth on Thursday, May 22. Interment will be at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove, WI. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Apostolate to the Handicapped (P.O. Box 443 Monroe, WI 53566).
Ruth and Charles were married on June 22, 1946 in Medford and lived in Milwaukee, WI while Charles attended medical school at Marquette University. The couple moved to Monroe, WI in 1953 where they lived for more than 40 years and raised six children. Ruth enjoyed gardening, baking, sewing and dancing. She also enjoyed upholstery and staining and varnishing cabinetry and furniture. As a member of the hospital auxiliary, Ruth logged over 2,000 hours working in the St. Clare Hospital gift shop. She worked seasonally for the Swiss Colony and volunteered at the St. Victor's Catholic Grade School library.
In retirement, Ruth and Charles lived in Alamo, TX where Ruth enjoyed playing golf, bridge, Mexican Train, and working crossword puzzles. After Charles' death, Ruth moved to the San Camillo/St. Camillus senior living community in Wauwatosa, WI, where she continued to play bridge and Mexican Train and work the crossword puzzles. Ruth also enjoyed knitting and produced many prayer shawls, baby afghans and colorful washcloths for the San Camillo knitting group and for her family. She volunteered as an usher at the San Camillo chapel where she attended daily Mass, a tradition she kept up until her death. Ruth also had a strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and recited the rosary daily.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her brother and sister-in-law Robert and Leona Paustenbach; her brother and sister-in-law Thomas and Patricia Paustenbach; her sister Mickey and her sister and brother-in-law Kathryn and James Burdette. She is survived by her sons Harry of State College, PA; Charles and Heidi of Brookfield, WI; and Steven of Newport, OR; her daughters Ann and Thomas Persoon of Coralville, IA; Christine Hendrix of Foristell, MO; and Therese and Larry Rocole of Wind Lake, WI; 15 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Ruth treasured the family Christmas get-togethers, summer reunions at the lake and especially time spent with her babies. She will be missed.
A private memorial service for the family will be held for Ruth on Thursday, May 22. Interment will be at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove, WI. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Apostolate to the Handicapped (P.O. Box 443 Monroe, WI 53566).