Ruth M. Westphal, 94, formerly of Brownsville, passed away on Wednesday, April 14, 2010, at the Fond du Lac Lutheran Home in Fond du Lac.
She was born on July 6, 1915, in Brownsville, the daughter of the late Otto and Mary (Schultz) Ewerdt, and on August 28, 1937, she was united in marriage to Clarence Westphal in Brownsville. The couple farmed in the town of Byron until retirement. Ruth and Clarence enjoyed 70 years of marriage. Clarence preceded Ruth in death on October 12, 2007.
Prior to her marriage, Ruth was a housekeeper for Dr. Raymond, Bill and Sylvia Schwefel and other Brownsville area families, and she also worked at Infant Socks in Fond du Lac. Ruth was employed by Rucks Restaurant in Byron after her children were older, where she was in charge of preparing and baking pies.
She enjoyed baking and won many blue ribbons at the State Fair for bread entries, and she also won the Pillsbury Bread Contest. She took good care of her husband and family providing family meals topped off with homemade pies. Her family will fondly remember her sweet rolls, chocolate chip cookies, devil’s food cake and kuchens. She was a very hard worker, a proud and disciplined woman. Ruth was a 4-H cooking leader and she enjoyed gardening, growing flowers and playing cards, especially bridge, 500 and sheephead.
Ruth was a member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brownsville, the Ladies Aid and the church quilting group.
Those Ruth leaves behind to cherish her memory include four children, Robert (Susanne) Westphal of Dallas, Texas, Charles (Darlene) Westphal of Byron, Judith (Michael) Dow and Jon (Katherine) Westphal both of Port Washington; a daughter-in-law, Jean Westphal Pendl of LaCrosse; a brother, Ted Ewerdt of Fond du Lac; two sisters-in-law, Lucille Brinkman of Brownsville and Harriet Ewerdt of Nebraska; 13 grandchildren, a step-granddaughter, seven great-grandchildren, three step-great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.
In addition to her husband and parents, Ruth was preceded in death by a son, William; three brothers, Arnold (Ruth), Albert and Carl Ewerdt; three sisters, Toddie (John “Hans”) Grunenfelder, Sally (Karl) Pieper and Irene (Harold) Westphal; two brothers-in-law, Ervin Westphal and Alvin Brinkman and two sisters-in-law, Leota (George) Klauck and Marie Ewerdt.
Funeral services for Ruth were held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 17, 2010, at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 605 Highland Street in Brownsville. Pastor William Carter officiated and burial followed in the church cemetery.
Relatives and friends called at the church on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services.
Memorials to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or the Fond du Lac Lutheran Home are appreciated.
Ruth’s family extends a heartfelt thank you to the nursing staff at the Fond du Lac Lutheran Home for the compassionate care provided to their parents during their last years.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ruth M. Westphal, please visit our flower store.
She was born on July 6, 1915, in Brownsville, the daughter of the late Otto and Mary (Schultz) Ewerdt, and on August 28, 1937, she was united in marriage to Clarence Westphal in Brownsville. The couple farmed in the town of Byron until retirement. Ruth and Clarence enjoyed 70 years of marriage. Clarence preceded Ruth in death on October 12, 2007.
Prior to her marriage, Ruth was a housekeeper for Dr. Raymond, Bill and Sylvia Schwefel and other Brownsville area families, and she also worked at Infant Socks in Fond du Lac. Ruth was employed by Rucks Restaurant in Byron after her children were older, where she was in charge of preparing and baking pies.
She enjoyed baking and won many blue ribbons at the State Fair for bread entries, and she also won the Pillsbury Bread Contest. She took good care of her husband and family providing family meals topped off with homemade pies. Her family will fondly remember her sweet rolls, chocolate chip cookies, devil’s food cake and kuchens. She was a very hard worker, a proud and disciplined woman. Ruth was a 4-H cooking leader and she enjoyed gardening, growing flowers and playing cards, especially bridge, 500 and sheephead.
Ruth was a member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brownsville, the Ladies Aid and the church quilting group.
Those Ruth leaves behind to cherish her memory include four children, Robert (Susanne) Westphal of Dallas, Texas, Charles (Darlene) Westphal of Byron, Judith (Michael) Dow and Jon (Katherine) Westphal both of Port Washington; a daughter-in-law, Jean Westphal Pendl of LaCrosse; a brother, Ted Ewerdt of Fond du Lac; two sisters-in-law, Lucille Brinkman of Brownsville and Harriet Ewerdt of Nebraska; 13 grandchildren, a step-granddaughter, seven great-grandchildren, three step-great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.
In addition to her husband and parents, Ruth was preceded in death by a son, William; three brothers, Arnold (Ruth), Albert and Carl Ewerdt; three sisters, Toddie (John “Hans”) Grunenfelder, Sally (Karl) Pieper and Irene (Harold) Westphal; two brothers-in-law, Ervin Westphal and Alvin Brinkman and two sisters-in-law, Leota (George) Klauck and Marie Ewerdt.
Funeral services for Ruth were held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 17, 2010, at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 605 Highland Street in Brownsville. Pastor William Carter officiated and burial followed in the church cemetery.
Relatives and friends called at the church on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services.
Memorials to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or the Fond du Lac Lutheran Home are appreciated.
Ruth’s family extends a heartfelt thank you to the nursing staff at the Fond du Lac Lutheran Home for the compassionate care provided to their parents during their last years.