Ruth H. Wilde, formerly of Wausau, died February 27, 2009, peacefully at Memorial Medical Center in Ashland, after a brief illness.
Ruth was born in Wausau on March 12, 1921, the daughter of Bertha and Walter Trantow. She graduated from Wausau High School and on July 22, 1945 and married Wilmer Wilde, of Wausau. He preceded her in death in January of 2004. They had two daughters, Mary and Barbara. Mary passed away unexpectedly in December 2003. Ruth was also preceded by her parents and one sister, Goldie Rakow.
For many years Ruth worked as a secretary in the guidance office at John Muir Junior High School in Wausau where she made many friends and was a special friend to the developmentally disabled students there. After a short retirement from that position, she re-entered the workforce to become a receptionist at Wausau Hospital for several more years.
Ruth was a lifelong member of Wesley United Methodist Church and was active in many areas of the church. She sang in the choir there for 50 years. She enjoyed golfing with her husband at the American Legion Golf Course and exploring other golf courses in their travels. She delighted in her two grandchildren and later welcomed with pride, five great-grandchildren. In 2006, she re-located to Washburn, Wisconsin to be near her daughter, Barbara. At the time of her death she resided at Northern Lights Health Care Center in Washburn.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Bill Gover of Bayfield, Wisconsin; her grandson, Benjamin (Jill) Gover, of South Kingstown, Rhode Island; her grand-daughter, Meghan (Benjamin) Brzozowski, of Appleton, Wisconsin; and great-grandchildren, Noah, Johnathan and Thomas Gover, and Anika and Adeline Brzozowski. She is also survived by one sister-in-law, Betty Passow, of Wausau; nieces and nephews; and many friends.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM, on Saturday, March 7, 2009, at Wesley United Methodist Church in Wausau. Visitation will be held from 12:30 until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Wesley United Methodist Organ Fund, 1101 Elm Street, Wausau, WI 54401; or the Northern Lights Health Care Center, 706 Bratley Drive, Washburn, WI 54891.