Obit: Johnson, Ruth G. (1928 - 2016)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Beers, Dalbec, Gutshall, Johnson, Messerman, Noerr, Votta

----Source: The Lewiston Sentinel (Lewiston, PA) 10/18/2016

Johnson, Ruth G. (Gutshall) (7 MAR 1928 - 12 OCT 2016)

Ruth G. Johnson, 88, of Sheldon, Wis., died on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016. She was born on March 7, 1928, in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, to Nevin and Estella Gutshall.

After growing up in Pennsylvania and graduating from high school in 1946, she became an operator for the local telephone company. Ruth then enlisted in the U.S. Navy serving as a W.A.V.E. from 1951 to 1953. She became an air traffic controller stationed at the Pensacola Naval Airbase in Florida, where she met her future husband, "Bob," who was also serving in the Navy.

Following her honorable discharge, she and Bob were married on July 25, 1953, and honeymooned in Niagara Falls. After a short time living in Milwaukee, they bought a dairy farm in Jump River, Wis., in 1955, where she lived the rest of her life.

A loving wife, mother and grandmother, she was preceded in death by her husband in 2010.A longtime member of New Hope Presbyterian Church in Hannibal, WI, Ruth was always willing to volunteer and help with community functions. Always a positive influence on those around her, she very much enjoyed time with her family, friends and neighbors. She was an accomplished artist in her free time with free-hand drawings and oil paintings, many of which are family treasures.

Survivors include three sons: Gary (Ruth Ann) Johnson, of Neenah, WI, Keith Johnson, of Hawkins, WI, and Dale Johnson, of Hannibal, WI; a daughter: Debra (Steve) Votta, of Aurora, CO; five grandchildren: Tara, Emily, Evan, Jack and Ben; four sisters: Elaine (Bob) Beers, of Lititz, Jean Noerr and Miriam Messerman, both of Lewistown, and Janice Dalbec, of Aurora, CO.

A funeral service was held on Saturday, Oct. 15, at New Hope Presbyterian Church in Hannibal, with burial in Mt. Nebo Cemetery in Jump River, WI.

Special thanks to Lois Kasper and the staff at Oakbrook Nursing Home of Thorp, Wis.