Search by Name

FUNERAL HOME

Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home - Birnamwood

445 Main Street

Birnamwood, Wisconsin

Ruth McKellep Obituary

Ruth McKellep

Ruth I McKellep , age 86, went to be with her Heavenly Father on May 23, 2013 under the care of Aspirus Care and Hospice Services at the Hospice House in Wausau, WI. She was born on January 26, 1927 in Birnamwood, WI to the late Albert and Irene (Martin) Duescher.

Ruth attended school in Birnamwood, graduating from high school in 1945. She attended nursing school at St Mary's Hospital in Wausau, WI and worked as a registered nurse from 1948 to 1952. She then began working for her father in his Birnamwood drugstore, where she met her future husband. She married Russell McKellep on February 19, 1955 at St Paul's Lutheran Church in Birnamwood. They were married for 54 years before Russ preceded her in death on September 10th, 2009.

After her marriage, Ruth was a homemaker and assisted in caring for her new stepson Gerald (Gary) until she and Russ welcomed their own three children. While raising her children, Ruth was an active member of the St Paul's Altar Guild and Ladies Aid. She and Russell also owned and operated R & R Laundromat in Birnamwood from 1969 until 1988 which kept her very busy with the day to day tasks of running a successful business. Ruth took great pride in all the work she did as a mother, nurse and business owner. In 1990 Ruth and Russell moved to Antigo and joined Calvary Lutheran Church where she was an active member of the quilting group. She found great joy in making quilts to donate to mission projects and give as gifts to family and friends. Additionally, Ruth was a member of the Miriam Circle and the Friendship Circle groups at Calvary. Ruth and Russ also spent a number of winters in New Braunfels, TX where they made many memories and wonderful friends.

Ruth is survived by three children, Mary Jo (Jeff) Burgoyne of Hatley, Jane (Amy Boudreau) McKellep of Baton Rouge, LA and James McKellep of Birnamwood; two grandchildren, Jennifer (Rodger) Josiger and Jessica (John) Huggenvik, all of Wausau; four step-grandchildren, Carol (Allen) Hendrix, Tom (Connie) McKellep, Kim Millward, and Mark McKellep all of the Ft Collins, CO area; four great-grandchildren; Nicholas and Ryan Josiger and Grace and Emma Huggenvik, all of Wausau and five step-great- grandchildren; Alexa and Wyatt Allerheiligen, Austin McKellep, and Doug and Mike Hendrix of Ft Collins, CO.

Additionally Ruth is survived by two sisters, Marjorie Biancardi of Madison, WI and Lorraine Olingy of Honolulu, HI; four nephews and five nieces.

In addition to her husband and parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her stepson, Gary and his wife Marilyn; her brother, Herbert and his wife Gretchen; brother-in-laws Harry Olingy and Michael Biancardi, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Ellen and Arno Ecker, and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Austin and Ester McKellep.

The Funeral Service will be held at 2pm on Monday, May 27, 2013 at Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Birnamwood. Rev. Nancy Richmond will officate. Interment will be in Forest Cemetery, Birnamwood. Visitation will be on Monday from 11am until the time of services at the funeral home. The family guestbook and condolences are available at schmidtschulta.com.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association, the disease that robbed Ruth of much of the last years of her life.

The family would like to thank the staff at SeKara LLC where Ruth lived and was cared for the last few months of her life, as well as the staff of Aspirus Hospice House. Both groups are filled with wonderfully special and caring individuals.

Published by Wausau Daily Herald from May 24 to May 26, 2013.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Ruth McKellep

Not sure what to say?





3 Entries

Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.

Bob & Ann Jentz

May 24, 2013

Rest in Peace Ruth as you begin your eternal life with Russ.

Cindy & Gregg Huggenvik

May 24, 2013

Enjoy your Heavenly home, Ruth!

Ruth & Vic TenHaken

May 24, 2013

Showing 1 - 3 of 3 results

Make a Donation
in Ruth McKellep's name

Please consider a donation as requested by the family.

Memorial Events
for Ruth McKellep

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home - Birnamwood

445 Main Street PO Box J, Birnamwood, WI 54414

How to support Ruth's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Ruth McKellep's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more