Obit: Juedes, Ruth M. (1923 – 2014)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Juedes, Peuschner, Umlauft, Danen, Kadonski, Oehler, Ludwig, Hanrahan

Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, WI) 20 Mar 2014

Juedes, Ruth M. (12 SEP 1923 – 17 MAR 2014)

Ruth M. Juedes, age 90, of Dorchester, WI, passed away on Monday, March 17, 2014 at Golden Living Center-Continental Manor in Abbotsford under the tender care of hospice. A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 22, 2014 at St. Louis Catholic Church in Dorchester. Father David Rybicki will officiate. Burial will be held in Dorchester Memorial Cemetery. Family and friends are welcome from 4:00 until 8:00 PM Friday March 21 at the Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Dorchester with a Rosary Service at 4:00 PM and from 10:00 AM until time of services Saturday at the church.

Ruth was born on September 12, 1923, the daughter of Rudolph and Anna (Peuschner) Umlauft in the Town of Holton. She worked in the Dorchester Pea Cannery prior to her marriage to Melvin Juedes on October 19, 1943. In 1950, they purchased their dairy farm from Ruth's mother in the Town of Holton. Mom was a strong pioneer woman working with dad, his brother, Don and wife, Audrey through the good and tough times to get their crops off the fields each year.

Ruth raised chickens and sold eggs for extra income for 30 years. She also had an apple orchard, canned applesauce and baked many pies and apple bars with her son, Floyd, to share with family and friends. From her very own grape vines, she canned grape jelly and grape juice. Her sick children were nourished back to health with lots of grape juice. Ruth had a vegetable garden and canned and froze vegetables and fruits. She baked many chicken and beef roast dinners with the meat grown on the farm. Mom, always a gracious and happy hostess, put on many spontaneous meals for visitors. And her very own homemade root beer and potato wine were always an extra treat to nip on.

With her sewing machine, she mended jeans and overhauls and sewed beautiful dresses and pajamas for her daughter, Karen. Ruth crocheted afghans, knitted Christmas stockings and took cake decorating classes, making her daughters' wedding cake.

Ruth kept her sisters, brothers and cousins close, by talking about the Umlauft family back in Germany and the supplies sent to them during WWII. She eventually took over writing letters to her cousin, Horst Strache and wife, Sylvia, who came to the U. S. to visit her and all their U.S. relatives. Horst and Sylvia attended the annual Umlauft family reunion at Dorchester Park and extended an invitation to all for a tour of Germany and the original home place at Tyssa in the Czech Republic. Two years later, Ruth and Melvin, their daughter and son-in-law, Karen and John Danen, Isadore Umlauft, George and Betty Kadonsky, Orval and Marcella Oehler and Gordy and Dolores Ludwig made the trip. The unforgettable week long car tour included staying overnight in a castle on the Rhine River.

Ruth, along with her mother, was a member of the women's neighborhood Draper Club which made the famous Draper Club Quilt with each square designed by each club member along with their name. She was also a member of St. Louis Catholic Church St. Anne's Circle. She also bowled Wednesday nights on the women's "Spring Crest" bowling team and Sunday nights on the couples league at the Dorchester Hall. She played cards with her sisters and brothers, in-laws, nieces and nephews and friends always for fun and to have a glass of beer. Ruth and Melvin had so much fun traveling with their best friends, Ruth and Roger Schmidt to various locations.

During her last few years, she truly enjoyed the rides up to the woods that her son, Floyd and grandchildren, Kevin and Suzanne took her on. She also enjoyed the visits with her great-grandson, 4/12 year-old, Donovan, who instantly loved her and shared many fun times with her and her dearly loved cats.

Ruth is survived by her children: Karen (John) Danen of Farmington, MN and Floyd Juedes of Dorchester; two grandchildren: Kevin Danen and Suzanne (Sean) Hanrahan both of Farmington, MN and great-grandson, Donovan Hanrahan. She is further survived by her sister, Marcella (Orval) Oehler of Kewaskum, WI; nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Melvin on November 23, 2003; three brothers: Irving, Henry and Frank and two sisters: Helen Riegert and Lorraine Laski.

Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com.