Obit: Plechacek, Ruth Emma (1929 - 2011)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Plechacek, Hakes, Bruun, Clark, Ingersoll, Green, Muratore, Klimeck, Lato, Onitilo, Wirtz

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI.) October 26, 2011

Plechacek, Ruth Emma (12 November 1929 - 19 October 2011)

Ruth Emma Plechacek, 81, of Thorp, was called peacefully to her heavenly home on Wednesday, October 19, 2011, at Oakbrook Health and Rehabilitation in Thorp after a valiant fight against lung cancer.

She was born on November 12, 1929, in the Chippewa County Town of Ruby to Ludvik and Ethel (Hakes) Bruun.  Ruth spent her childhood in Ruby and in Lower Michigan. She graduated from Brighton (MI) High School in 1948, for which she played softball and volleyball and was the class secretary.  After graduation she worked as a secretary in the Detroit area.

She married Anton "Tony" Plechacek on February 16, 1954, at St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church, rural Thorp.  Tony and Ruth made their home on the Plechacek family dairy farm off Colby Factory Road in the Clark County Town of Reseburg, raising seven children.  In addition to caring for her family and the work of a farm wife, Ruth kept busy with gardening, canning and cooking or the harvest crews.

She was a member of St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church and its Parish Council of Catholic Women, often being called upon to read the rosary at Mass.

Ruth also was active in the American Legion Auxiliary and at Thorp Senior Citizens Center, and worked at Figi’s.  She took joy in her later years working as a "foster grandparent" at the Thorp Elementary School.

Bubbly, outgoing and full of spunk, Ruth cherished her relationships, enjoyed meeting new people and knew how to have a good time.  Loved ones always were welcomed with a firm hug or a friendly greeting from the farmhouse steps.  She took special pride in the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren.

Ruth was a giving person with her possessions and her time, often bringing farm-fresh eggs and butter to loved ones. Friends who didn’t have family nearby were welcomed into her home during the holidays.

She was a lifelong sports fan and enjoyed following the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers and Wisconsin Badgers.

Ruth is survived by her husband, Tony of Thorp; six children: David of Lake St. Louis, MO, Rita (Thomas) of Stevens Point, Paul (Cheryl) of rural Willard, Daniel (Rita) of rural Chippewa Falls, Michael(Michelle Clark) of rural Thorp and Carol (James) of Colorado Springs, CO; sisters, Susie Ingersoll of Abbotsford, Ethel Green of Stetsonville and Adelia Muratore of Union Grove; brothers, Karl (June) Klimeck of Milwaukee, Alan (Penelope) of Colorado Springs, CO, and Adrian "Smoky" Klimeck of Abbotsford.  She also leaves behind 12 grandchildren: Bethany, Katy, Joshua, Mary, Jesse, Cari, Ryan, Amy, Jenna, Anthony, John and Luke; and two great-grandchildren: Henry and Autumn, with two more to be born next year.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Patricia; brothers: Arthur "Jack" Klimeck and Arlowe Klimeck; a sister, Alice Lato; a nephew, Galen Ingersoll; and a daughter-in-law, Penelope Plechacek.

Visitation was from 4 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, October 23, at Thorp (Cuddie) Funeral Home, 110 W. School St., where there was a 7 p.m. rosary, and at 9:30 a.m. Monday, October 24, at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church, 111 N. Church St., Thorp.  Services were at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the church.  Burial followed at the church cemetery.

The family would like to thank the oncology units at St. Michael’s Hospital at Stevens Point and St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield, especially Dr. Adedayo Onitilo at St. Michael’s and Dr. Charles Wirtz at Victory Medical Group in Thorp, and the staff at Oakbrook Health and Rehabilitation.

Memorials can be made to the Parish Council of Catholic Women at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Church.

Condolences can be left at www.cuddiefh.com.