Eleanore R. Ruhland

Ruhland, Eleanore R.

Eleanore Slattery Ruhland, 96, passed away on March 25, 2020. Eleanore became nonresponsive the night before, and sons Joseph and Patrick Ruhland were able to say their goodbyes in a final visit. Daughter MaryAnn and son Mike would say their goodbyes before leaving for Sun City, AZ and Estero, FL respectively.  Eleanore was born July 6, 1923 in Rudolph WI to Emmett and Kathryn (Fogarty) Slattery.  Eleanore grew up on the family farm in Rudolph and graduated from St Joseph’s Academy in Stevens Point.  After high school she worked as a stenographer for the Wisconsin Soil Conservation in Waupaca, splitting her time between the Waupaca and Wautoma offices.

Eleanore married George Ruhland in 1947 in Rudolph. After marriage she resided in Milwaukee with her husband George until he passed in 2000. After that she moved to Deer Creek, New Berlin, WI, where she made a new life for herself; it was well deserved “me” time where she surrounded herself with many, many new friends, and enjoyed her extended family. Eleanore was in extremely good health until the age of 89. She got her walk in every day, and walked at a fast pace. She spent little time in her apartment, as she was always “out” playing cards, crocheting, and enjoying time with her friends. Eleanore spent her last five years at Brookdale, Brookfield, WI, in reasonably good health for 3 years.

Eleanore is survived by her 4 childern: MaryAnn (deceased Doug) Daniels, Sun City, Az, Michael (Jane) Estero, FL, Joseph (Vicki) New Berlin, Patrick (Wendy) Colgate. Eleanore is also survived by 9 grandchildren: Jenni (Todd) Nelson, David (Lyndsey), Nicholas, Aaron, Colleen (Dave) Seeley, Kathleen (Tim) Gebo, Patrick (Hira), Ryan (Rachel) and Staci (Dan) Foy; and by 10 great grandchildren: Jordan, Meghan, Alex, Chase, Nicholas, Mackenzie, Brayden, Mason, Sophia, Alexa, Alya, and Liam.  Eleanore is also survived by brother-in-law Fred (Garnet) Ruhland. 

Eleanore was preceded in death by 5 sisters Helen (Rueben) Neises, Gertrude (Stanley) Schmutzer, Sister Noreen, Mary (Reiland) Neitzel, & Katherine (Micke) Gruber; and 6 brothers: Lawerence, Bernard, William, Richard, Francis & Edward. Also preceded in death by brother-in-law Edward (Kathy).

Letter to Cousins and Friends reporting Eleanore’s passing:

Dear Cousins and Friends,

Just wanted to let you know Mom passed on Wednesday. Guess she wanted to get ahead of the Coronavirus rush as Mom was never late. Love, hard work, enjoying relatives and friends, and Catholic faith are her legacy.

Her work ethic came across in her advice to her kids. Her gems of wisdom included: don’t put off to tomorrow what you can do today. A stitch in time… Idle hands are the devil’s workshop. There are probably some other words of wisdom too that have been forgotten. And speaking of forgetting, was grabbing one’s kid by the ear to get them to listen a Slattery thing?

Speaking of relatives, Mom and her sisters would giggle like school girls when they got together, and their happiness was infectious. And when Mom & Dad, aunts and uncles went dancing, we could tell Mom enjoyed “dressing to the 9s”.

Mom enjoyed her time here on earth! We, her kids, found it remarkable how she kept saying she was happy, especially in the last two years. We believe she truly was happy. She wondered and would ask “Am I dying?”. It was always a question asked without anxiety, almost as if she still had things to do and people to talk with.

She was strong that way! That must be a Slattery / Fogarty gene. We didn’t see much of an Irish temper, but some did get some Irish red hair from her.

Say a prayer for Mom just to say HI. If she responds, let us know. She is likely already talking with all the Slattery / Fogarty clan up in heaven.

Joe, Pat, MaryAnn, our spouses, her grandkids, great grandkids and I will formally get together this summer to remember her.

I also want to thank our cousins who reached out with comments that surprised me. Thank you, ladies, as I learned more about Mom. I was told: “She was a gem. She was beautiful. Visiting her was like visiting my Mom, as they were so much alike. I loved her smile and humor and sound advice.  She was one of my favorite aunts. She was always smiling and so friendly.” How did I not notice? ‘Cause she was Mom!

MaryAnn (Daughter) sharing some memories:

I learned so many things from Mom. Cooking, sewing, gardening etc. I so enjoyed my visits back to Milwaukee to spend time with her. When she first went to Brookdale (in Brookfield, WI) we’d do lunch, walk outside, talk so much about the past and present. Later, we walked the halls and talked. So thankful I flew to see her so many times, and wanted more visits.

In Mom’s declining years my visits were special just to be there and chatter away so she heard my voice and held my hand. Mom so enjoyed the FaceTime calls Mike and I would make when visiting Mom. Sometimes she would join us in conversation, and other times she would just lay there and listen as we talked. I remember she even told us once or twice to be quiet and leave her sleep. I loved mom’s little jokes and infectious laugh. Miss you already Mom!

Mom’s granddaughter Kathleen shared some memories:

She was the strongest woman in my life. I looked up to her more than anyone. I cherish my memories in her garden with her, marveling at her canned produce and fruit lining the basement walls, sewing with her, playing cards and grandpa yelling at me “Kate don’t bend the cards!”, cooking applesauce, eating homemade cookies from her crystal cookie jar, watching wheel of fortune, sliding down her carpet steps and crashing into the door near the kitchen, and many more. I have pillow cases of hers that I swear still have her smell. I go to church and can still hear her voice singing next to me. It makes me happy thinking of her in heaven with God and Grandpa. Selfishly I wish I could tell her I love her one more time and let her hear my voice. But I can tell her now in my prayers.

I miss her everyday already so that won’t change, but now I know I can’t hold her hand anymore.

Burial and Service

Service will be private to help keep everyone safe.

Eleanore will be buried at St Joseph’s cemetery, Waukesha WI

In lieu of flowers, say a prayer for Mom.