Ruth J. Clark (nee Babcock), age 83, of West Bend, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 25, 2014 at The Kathy Hospice.
Ruth was born on June 14, 1931 in Iron Mountain, Michigan, to the late Ralph and Beatrice (nee Jensen) Babcock. She attended elementary school in Iron Mountain, and graduated from Kingsford High School in Kingsford, Michigan in the class of 1948.
On October 21, 1949, in Iron Mountain, Michigan, Ruth was united in marriage to Owen Clark of Manitowoc. Over the years, Ruth and Owen and their four children made their home in Manitowoc, Whitewater, Fort Atkinson, Ephrata, Pennsylvania and finally in West Bend.
Ruth's most important job and love was being a wonderful wife and mother. As her children grew older, she began working outside the home as a teachers' aide at Green Tree Elementary School, manager at Hankerson's Bakery, Kemper Securities in Milwaukee, and for many years as a realtor with Shorewest Realtors.
She was a member of Holy Angels Parish, and a past member of the Christian Women's Society. Ruth enjoyed reading, roses, camping, painting, scuba diving, shuffleboard, traveling, swimming, the Green Bay Packers, the Milwaukee Brewers, playing bridge, and spending time with her family. Some of her favorite memories were of the trips to Hawaii, Jamaica, and Ireland that she and Owen took with their daughter Patti and son-in-law Bob.
Ruth was especially proud of the weekly "In a Manner of Speaking" column that she wrote for the West Bend News for many years. This earned her the affectionate family nicknames of "The Word Police" and "Grammar Grandma".
Ruth enjoyed helping others, and for 11 years she and her husband, Owen, made a difference in peoples' lives by volunteering to teach English as a second language for the Milwaukee Achiever Program. She also volunteered to read with 1st graders at Green Tree Elementary School.
Ruth loved people, and was such a special, strong, and positive lady. She always had a smile, a joke to tell, and a hug for everyone she met. She touched many lives.
Ruth was a wonderful wife and mother. Her four children were blessed to have her as a mother. She loved and treasured her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. She will be remembered for her life so beautifully lived, and a heart so deeply loved, and will always be missed by her family.
Ruth is survived by her four children, Patti (Bob) Hankerson of Cape Coral, Florida, Linda (Roger) Liebetrau of West Bend, Jon (Laura Rank) Clark of Campbellsport, and Lisa (Roy) Kohn of Kewaskum; six grandchildren, Celina (Mike) Hayes, Laura (Mike) Ripple, Mike (Stacey) Liebetrau, Kate (Rhubin) Harris, Kevin Hankerson, and Keith (Peggy) Hankerson; 14 great-grandchildren, Brady, Brooke, and Brenna Hayes, Aviana Peters, Connor Liebetrau, Owen Ripple, Megan (Chuck) Meyer, Lauren Hankerson, Kasey Hankerson, Jessica (Mike) Jante, Ryan Hankerson, Janelle (Eric) Hillman, Annette (Brion) Kendzora, and Baby Liebetrau due in January; seven great-great-grandchildren, Isabella and Lucca Meyer, Aubrie and Addicus Jante, Faye Hillman, and Eli and Jonah Kendzora; a sister Carol Scott; two brothers, Richard (Pat) Babcock and Earl (Lolita) Lynch; three sisters-in-law, Dorothy Clark, Mary Babcock, and Mary Ellen Babcock; a brother-in-law, Vincent Claffey; other relatives and many friends, especially Herb Wentlandt, and Lisa Hankerson.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Owen in 2011; three brothers, Rowland Babcock, Robert Babcock, Ralph Babcock, and Carl Lynch; three sisters-in-law, Genevieve (Jack) Berschens, Monica (Robert) Beyer, Barbara Claffey; two brothers-in-law, Bill Clark and Floyd Scott; three nephews, Jack Berschens, Robin Beyer, and Patrick Babcock.
Funeral services in remembrance of Ruth will be held on Friday, August 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the Myrhum-Patten Funeral Home (1315 W. Washington St.) West Bend, with Rev. Jerry Repenshek of Holy Angels Catholic Church presiding. Visitation will be Friday at the funeral home from 4:00 p.m. until the time of service. Entombment will be in Washington County Memorial Park on Saturday at 10:00 a.m.
Memorials in Ruth's name to Kathy Hospice or charity of your choice are appreciated by the family.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Gary Herdrich and his staff, along with the staff at Kathy Hospice, and The Lighthouse of West Bend for the loving care given to Mom.