The Bible says that the fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Ruth left this earth peacefully on Saturday, February
10, 2024, after a lifetime of mirroring these beautiful traits.
Ruth was born on May 9, 1929, to Augusta and Gustave Thelke in Ripon, Wisconsin on their
farm. After high school, she attended normal school to be a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse
for children from kindergarten to eighth grade. Later she got her teaching degree at the
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. She then taught kindergarten in Neenah, Wisconsin, where
she met the love of her life at a church group. Lyle A. Hart and Ruth married on June 25, 1960.
They moved to Ames, Iowa where Lyle attended Veterinary school. While in Ames, Jane and
Sally were born in 1961 and 1962 respectively. They moved to Bristol, WI for Lyle’s first job after
his graduation in 1963. Shortly after this, the family was established in Black River Falls as Lyle
began his own veterinary practice. Gail was born in 1964 in BRF. They spent over fifty years at
611 Tyler Street. She was always busy helping others and running the home so Lyle could focus
on his veterinary business. Their home was always open for meals with friends, laughter, and
love. She instilled the love of learning in her children and grandchildren and was always
teaching in her own special way- with crossword puzzles, reading newspapers and magazines,
and doing projects of all sorts. Her faith was very important to her, and she shared this with her
family on a daily basis.
As a stay-at-home mother, Ruth was a dedicated mother to her daughters as well as an active
volunteer in the United Methodist Church and a Sunday School teacher. Early in their marriage,
she spent many weekends square dancing with Lyle. She was a Blue Bird and Camp Fire Girl
Leader, she volunteered at the hospital auxiliary (Pink Lady) and was western district president
of the auxiliary, delivered meals on wheels, visited shut-ins, and played piano at nursing homes;
she attended prayer group, homemakers, and church circles. She baked for funerals. She sang
in the church choir and was a lay speaker and wrote for the church newsletter. She raised
money for charities and read to children at the library. She received the Women in History
Award in 2001 for her community service in Jackson County.
Ruth is survived by her three daughters: Jane (Fred) Oyler, Sally (Ken) Uting, and Gail (Darrel)
Holmes. In addition, Ruth was blessed with 10 grandchildren including Daniel (Stephanie) Uting,
Philip Thomas, Alyssa (Curtis) Oldham, Beth (Patrick) Nastachowski, Eric (Amanda) Uting,
Lindsay (Chris) Jazwinski, Lindsey (Taylor) Patterson, Alexis (Serafin) Lachino, Ian Oyler
(Lindsey Zblewski), and Isaac Holmes. She was blessed with ten great-grandchildren: Blake;
Andrew, Elliot; Zoe, Samuel, Noah; Harrison, Arthur; Eleanor; Liam, and a sister on the way in
May! She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, and their spouses Vernon (Lois
Thelke) and Florence Williams (James), and her husband, Lyle.
Ruth’s daughters want to thank the certified nursing assistants who so lovingly cared for mom at
Morrow Community Home- Bridge Path. They loved her and we heard them tell her this so
often. We also want to thank Gundersen Hospice for their care and empathy in Ruth’s last few
days.
Memorials can be given to the United Methodist Church in Black River Falls or to Interfaith.
The funeral will be held at the United Methodist Church in Black River Falls on Saturday,
February 17, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Inwha Shon will officiate. Family and friends are invited
to visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
The Torgerson’s Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements, 715-284-4321.
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