Obit: Sauter, Ruth Freida Klara (1918 - 2011)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt

Surnames: Brandt, Callies, Denzin, Ellenbecker, Gallagher, Gilley, Hollmann, Kallerud, Lamer, Pridmore, Remus, Sauter, Seidel, Van Slate, Vircks, Welbes

----Source: The Record - Review (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wisconsin) Wednesday, July 20, 2011, online edition

Sauter, Ruth Freida Klara (Denzin) (July 24, 1918 - July 16, 2011)

Ruth F. K. Sauter, 92, Tomahawk, died Sat. July 16, 2011, at home after long term care by her daughter Cari.

Ruth Freida Klara Denzin was born July 24, 1918, in Milan to the late Paul and Theresa (Vircks) Denzin.

Ruth worked several jobs from age 13 on. She moved to Tomahawk as a teen and worked for her Uncle Herman and Aunt Emma Lamer of Lamer’s Cottages, where later in life with her own family, attended many a barn dances there.

Ruth met Don Sauter at the Trianon Ballroom, he preceded her in death.

Their courtship led to marriage on June 15, 1938, in Dorchester where she and Don raised their family of three daughters, Sharon A. Gilley who preceded her in death, Barbara J. (Gerald) Van Slate, Wausau, and Cari C. Sauter, Tomahawk; and two sons, Terry A. Sauter also preceded her in death, and Randolph A. (Cheryl) Sauter, Sierra Vista, Ariz. As the family grew up Ruth and Don fulfilled their dream of building a cottage on Lake Nokomis in Tomahawk where they enjoyed many years of good times making memories and sharing of lots of love.

Ruth was a homemaker. While raising her family she served on the Dorchester Library Board, served as long time member and president of the Sewing Circle of St. Peters Lutheran Church. She loved playing bridge with her bridge club and crafting, needle work, art, music and theater. She was an avid gardener, expert seamstress and especially enjoyed caring for and living at her Nokomis lake home where family and friends were always welcome.

Ruth is further survived by one granddaughter, Sharon Van Slate, Atlanta; three grandsons, John Sauter, Sierra Viesta, Ariz., Erik “EJ” (Camille) Gilley, Memphis, Tenn., and Sean (Jill) Gilley, Denver, Colo.; seven great-grandchildren, Padraic, Liam, Aidan, Isabel, Megan, Trevor and Owen; three step-grandsons, Jamie Van Slate who preceded in death, Jesse Van Slate, Merrill, Jay Van Slate, La Crosse; step great-granddaughters, Catherine, Calli, and Tonia Van Slate; one step great great-granddaughter, Angel; one brother, Clarence (Betty) Denzin of Racine; two step sisters-in-law, Eleanor Hollmann, Chilton, Gret Seidel, Kimberly.

She was also preceded in death by three brothers, Albert, Edward, and Harold Denzin; five sisters, Leona Ellenbecker, Hildene Callies, Esther Remus, Lucille Pridmore and Anna Welbes.

Pastor Joel Brandt will officiate services for Ruth at Trinity Lutheran Church, 501 Stewart Ave., Wausau, on Sunday, July 24th, 2011, which would have been Ruth’s 93rd birthday.

Visitation/Reception starts at 1:30 p.m. and services at 3:00 p.m. Private inurnment at Dorchester Cemetery following the service.

Brainard Funeral Home, Wausau is assisting the family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be directed to the family or designated to Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services or Lincoln County Humane Society.

Many thanks and much love go out to Cari for her long term care of our mother and also the part time care givers Leanne Gallagher, Wausau and Patti Kallerud, Tomahawk who also loved her.

On-line condolences may be given at www.brainardfuneral.com

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