Ruth Zernicke

Obituary for Ruth Bertha Zernicke

Ruth B. Zernicke, 94, Athens, died Sunday, November 14, 2010 at Marywood Center, Wausau.

Ruth was born June 26, 1916 in the Township of Belle Plaine to the late Paul and Laura (Meisner) Haut and graduated from Shawano High School. Ruth married Maynard Zernicke on August 13, 1935 in Shawano. Throughout their lives together, Ruth worked hard helping Maynard with the farm in the Town of Maine while raising their eight kids. After raising their children, Ruth worked for a number of years as a baker with Employer's Insurance. In their later years, the couple made several trips out to North Dakota to visit Ruth's relation. They celebrated 65 years together prior to Maynard's death on August 26, 2000.

She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Ruth never shied away from helping her kids with their homework and delighted in babysitting her grandchildren, always having a treat for them whenever they visited. At home, she was a wonderful baker and cook, loved working in her garden raising beautiful flowers and vegetables which she canned and watching the birds that would come to visit. Ruth's faith was abundant, whether she was at home reading her bible or singing hymns or at Grace Lutheran Church where she was very active.

Ruth is survived by her beloved children, LeRoy (DeAnna), Wausau, Martin (Joyce), Wausau, Wallace (Carolyn), Wisconsin Rapids, Lyle (Linda), Athens, Gary (Lori) Zernicke, Merrill, Betty (Dennis) Metz, Plover and Carol (Philip) Olson, Rib Mountain; son-in-law, Elgard "Jr." Barttelt; 26 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren, 6 great-great-grandchildren and many more extended family and friends. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Mary Barttelt; grandson, Scott Zernicke; sisters, Dorothy Krause and Alice Bartz and brothers, Art Haut and Carl Haut.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Thursday, November 18, 2010 at Grace Lutheran Church, Town of Maine. Pastor Nathaniel Biebert will be officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Wednesday, November 17 at Helke Funeral Home resuming on Thursday at 10:00 AM at the church until the time of services. Burial will be at Big Hill Cemetery following the funeral. You may sign our family guestbook at www.helke.com.

Ruth's family would like to extend a special word of thanks for the exceptional care and compassion shown by the nurses and staff of Marywood Center over the past eight years of her life.