Ruth Anklam

Ruth E. Anklam, of Wausau, entered into eternal life on Friday, January 29th ending her earthly battle of Colon Cancer. Ruth died at the age of 93 after a short stay at the Aspirus Hospice House.

Ruth Ella Martha Breitenfeldt was born August 10, 1927, in Wausau to the late Otto and Ella (Krueger) Breintenfeldt. She grew up in Wausau and attended high school at the Wausau High School and graduated in 1945.

On October 25, 1947, she was united in marriage to Donald E. Anklam. Donald preceded her in death on November 23, 2014.

Ruth’s first job was ironing and cleaning for other people. She then worked at Woolworths making Easter Baskets and working behind the candy counter and later worked at the Commonwealth Telephone Company. While raising her own kids, Ruth babysat for many other kids either before school or after or all day long. Later in life, she worked at Bob’s Bakery and at Wib’s PARK-N-SHOP. Ruth was instrumental in the Share Program in town, even winning the Jefferson Award for all her hard work there. She was so proud of this award! Those that were lucky enough to meet mom while she lived at Applegate Assisted Living got to appreciate her love for playing Sheepshead, King’s Corners, Bingo, and Triominoes and her love for helping out others with notes on where to be when and directions on how to find their way. And don’t forget all the coloring books she colored for each of her kids and her love for making banana bread for everyone!

Mom always commented that after having her first child if they were all that easy she would have a dozen and a dozen she had - 6 girls and 6 boys. One of the greatest loves in her life were babies, no matter whose it was! The mention of any of her grandkids or great-grandkids always brought a smile to her face and put a twinkle in her eyes all the way to the end! She loved you all so very much!

Survivors include her children, Susan (Jim Ostrowski - deceased) Anklam, Bruce (Linda), Nancy (Ron) Fenhaus, Clark (Kathy), Patti (Gary) Busche, Joyce (Peter) Reger, Kevin (Jenny), Vicki (Scott) Adams and Keith (Kris); 18 grandchildren, Tim, Alissa, Krista, Bethany, Sara, Becky, Lisa, Matt, Hillary, Donny, Nicki, Corey, Jon, Jenny, Ben, Liz, Kyler, and Kolton; and 23 great-grandchildren, Hannah, Garrett, Wyatt, Gabe, Lucy, Greta, Traxler, Elmer, Brogan, Brennan, Taylor, Teagan, Luke, Brianna, Conner, Brynn, Kylie, Jace, Bailey, Callie, Emily, Aubrey, Aaron, and another due this year. She is also survived by two daughters-in-law, Dorie Anklam and Barb Reynolds, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

In addition to her husband and parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her two sons Brian, and David; daughter Janel; grandson Bobbie Leigh; as well as her brother Lorenz and sisters Esther Traeger and Evelyn Woller.

We would like to give a special thank you to the staff at the Aspirus Hospice House for taking such great care of mom during her few days there! Also thank you to the staff at Applegate for all your care when mom lived there. A special word of thanks and appreciation to her special angels and guardians, who took time out of their busy schedules to help her. Mom never drove, so she had to rely on her unselfish transport crew, her schedule keepers, her patient advocates, and her eldercare support people. The rest of the family thanks Patti and Vicki, who were key transporters and shoppers for mom, and Joyce, who after helping Daddy with all his medical issues, took on the same duties with mom, keeping notes and records to assure her best care! All of you took extra special care of mom and dad in a way that the rest of us thank you so much for! To all the family who helped in any way, thank you!

Visitation will take place from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM on Tuesday, February 9th at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 600 Stevens Dr., Wausau. Masks and social distancing are strongly encouraged.

A private family service will follow the visitation at 2:00 PM. Pastor Bruce Lamont will officiate. Burial will take place at Pine Grove Cemetery. Livestreaming of the service will be available on Ruth’s obituary page at www.helke.com, where a recording of the service will also be available for future viewing.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church at 600 Stevens Dr, Wausau, Wi 54401 or Wisconsin Valley Lutheran Highschool, 601 Maple Ridge Rd, Mosinee, WI 54455.