Obit: Holman, Ruth Mary (1935 - 2009)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Holman, Huckstead, Scholtz, DeMert, Hediger, Campbell, Mohr, Zank, Langreck, Gassen, Solberg, Butts, Hayes, Speigel, Hill, Kunze, Scholtz-Larson 
 

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood County, Wis.) Wednesday, 30 Dec. 2009 
 

Holman, Ruth Mary (21 Dec. 1935 - 27 Dec. 2009) 
 

NEILLSVILLE -- Ruth Holman, 74, of Neillsville, died peacefully, surrounded by family, on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009, at the Luther Midelfort Hospital in Eau Claire. 
 

Ruth Mary Holman was born Dec. 21, 1935, in Neillsville, the daughter of Louis and Mary (Huckstead) Scholtz. She attended Reed Grade School and Neillsville High School. She was united in marriage to Robert Holman in 1955. They lived in Racine and Rockford, Ill., before separating. 
 

In 1964, Ruth moved back to Neillsville and began working in the county clerk's office. While working in the county clerk's office, she also worked part-time at Steine's Club 10 for many years, and also at the Moonlite for a few years. Ruth retired from the courthouse in 1995, after 25 years of faithful service. 
 

In 1975, she met Buck DeMert a life-long companion, with whom she spent 30 years. 
 

Ruth was a strong, hard-working, loving mother and grandmother. In her spare time, she volunteered at the Memorial Medical Center's gift shop. She enjoyed crocheting, embroidery and knitting and would make afghans for the Aging office to distribute. Over the years, she also crocheted or knitted numerous other gifts for her family and friends. She enjoyed gardening, especially her flowers and she always had interesting dogs around. Most of all, however, she enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 
 

She is survived by her children, Joseph (Debbie) Holman of Neillsville, Robert (Janie) Holman of Marshfield, Katheirn (Richard) Solberg of Eau Claire and Brenda (Roger) Langreck of Neillsville; stepchildren, Cindy (Randy) Butts of Neillsville, Jeff (Sue) DeMert of Neillsville, Kay Hayes of La Crosse, Debbie (Jim) Speigel of Neillsville and Kevin DeMert of Sarnhan, N.Y.; 10 grandchildren, Tony, Sheila, Robert, Travis, Jennifer, Kurtis, Tim Jr., Tonya, Tasha and Lacey; 12 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Joyce Hill of Elroy and Edith (Robert) Kunze of Plover; and a sister-in-law, Elsie Scholtz-Larson of Eau Claire. 
 

She was preceded in death by her life-long companion, Buck DeMert; a son, Danny; two infant sons; a granddaughter, Kattie Lynn Langreck; brothers, Arlo and Charles; a sister, Virginia Gassen; and an infant brother. 
 

Funeral services for Ruth will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010, at the United Church of Christ in Neillsville. Pastor James Mohr will officiate. Music will be provided by Eileen Zank, organist. Interment will be in the Louise Marie Chapel Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church. 
 

Honorary casketbearers are Fritz Hediger and Richard "Shot" Campbell. 
 

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Clark County Humane Society, P.O. Box 127, Neillsville WI 54456. 
 

Online condolences may be made at www.GescheFH.com. 
 

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Ruth's family with funeral arrangements.