Ruth Jeannette Lydia Hemmings was the only child born to Erwin and Ruth (nee Mantey) Hardt on October 13, 1922 in Milwaukee, and born to eternal life on Saturday, July 5, 2014 at Aegis of Marymoor Assisted Living in Redmond, WA.
Ruth was raised in Wauwatosa by her loving grandparents and aunts, after the passing of both parents during her childhood. She graduated from Solomon Juneau High School and then attended Marquette University and graduated with the Dental Hygiene class of 1945- the first class to become certified by the State of Wisconsin. While at Marquette, she was a member of the Sigma Phi Alpha Honor Society. Ruth practiced her love of dental hygiene for more than 40 years in Milwaukee, West Bend and Appleton, and was the Appleton Area School District's Dental Hygienist from 1972 until her retirement in 1988. She moved back to West Bend and married William "Mac" Hemmings in 1992. They enjoyed 16 wonderful years of marriage until his death in 2008.
Ruth's interests and hobbies were her faith and service to Jesus Christ, golf, sewing and handiwork, women's club activities, Bridge, travel, politics, honoring our veterans, and her German heritage. She was an active member of the West Bend Country Club, Riverview Country Club (Appleton), the Fifth Avenue Methodist Church, several bible studies and prayer groups, various Bridge groups, the Wisconsin Republican Party, 81 years of service with the American Legion Auxiliary (Post No. 228), P.E.O., and a life-time member of the Evans Scholars Fraternity. For many years, she participated and held various positions within the West Bend Women's Club and Appleton Women's Club. Ruth developed and cherished her many friendships through these organizations.
She is survived by her daughter Mimi (Andrew) Reid of Redmond, WA, from her first marriage to Lehman Rosenheimer of West Bend; two great nieces, Kay (John) Farris of Inverness, IL and Jill (Tom) Wahl of Tucson, AZ; family members from her marriage to William Hemmings: step-sons, Richard (Jane) Hemmings of Naples, FL, William (Mary) Hemmings Jr. of Hutchinson, KS, Stuart (Diana) Eickelberg of Lake City, MN; step-daughter in-law, Sally (Keith) Brigham of Ludington, MI; step-neices Lory (Gary) Clemens of West Bend and Barbara (Jeff) Morton of Madison; several grand and great-grandchildren and many dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Hemmings and stepson, Thomas Eickelberg.
A memorial service in remembrance of Ruth will be held on August 9th at 10:00 am at the Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church, 323 S. 5th Ave, West Bend. Visitation and reception following. The Reverend Jeremy Deaner will officiate. A private burial of her cremated remains will be in Sheboygan Falls Cemetery later in the day.
Memorials in Ruth's name may be given to the charity of your choice.
A special thank you to the caring and supportive staff at Cedar Community, Aegis of Marymoor and Evergreen Hospice (Kirkland, WA).