Ruthellen E. Wilke

FUNERAL HOME

Church & Chapel Funeral Services

Multiple locations, Wisconsin

Ruthellen Wilke Obituary

Found Peace on Friday, April 28, 2006, age 73 years. Beloved sister of John (Janet). Cherished aunt and godmother of Teresa (Alan) Arenz. Dear great-aunt and godmother of Eric and Matthew Arenz. Also loved by many friends.

Visitation Tuesday, May 2, from 5-7PM at GREENFIELD AVE. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 1455 S. 97th St., West Allis. Funeral service to follow at 7PM. Private interment Arlington Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Greenfield Ave. Presbyterian Church Music Fund appreciated.

CHURCH AND CHAPEL

262-827-0659

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Published by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Apr. 30, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Ruthellen Wilke

2 Entries

David

May 2, 2006

As I sit quietly recalling my memories of "Ruthie" I remember a happy time in all of our lives. She always had a smile and a kind word. As a young manager at NBF, I learned a lot about the culture of the company that she helped to mold...Ruthie always worked hard, respected the people around her and her position while enjoying her work. She was truly an Ambassador of the "Golden Rule" and was respected for these qualities.

Ruthellen was a very genorous and selfless woman. She would often help out at her brothers store or at the folk fair expecting nothing in return other than the fact that someone needed help and she was able. Virtually every time she stopped for a "cup of water" she would offer to get one for someone nearby expecting nothing in return.

Ruthie was an example to all new employees as she worked hard and consistantly at all times and set a lasting example. She found great joy in the simple peasures of her collections as well as her cats. She always had a picture or a bag of "goodies" to share with anyone who cared. Her laugh as well as her smile was infectous.

Ruthie reminds me of an important and often overlooked saying that goes "To earn the respect of others, you must treat THEM with respect"...She also lived by the rule that if you don't have anything nice to say about someone, don't say anything. I can't recall Ruthie ever saying anything negative about someone else.

She would often come to the office after she retired to spread good cheer and this probably gave her the sense of roots that she felt during her incredible career there. It was probably the height of her day as well. I remember thinking that this could be a distraction to others and I often felt that I simply didn't have a moment for her impromptu visits..We must all think about my reaction to ALL the Ruthies of the world because I was wrong. She was part of the foundation of the company's success and there were times that I should have taken more time for her. Ruthie, please forgive me. You see, she was trying to teach us that the work will wait while she showed us the rainbow, but the rainbow wouldn't wait while we did the work.

Thanks Ruthie..I will think of you with every rainbow I chase.

With affection,

May 1, 2006

National Business Furniture (NBF), where Ruthellen was employeed for so many years, has sent a memorial to Greenfield Ave. Presbyterian Church Music Fund.

Ruthellen has many, many friends throughout the Mosher Companies. We were saddened to hear her health was failing and then of her passing.

Many of our folks wrote back to me after the announcement went company-wide to send a special mememory of Ruthellen. All of them knew of Ruthellen's love for cats. Many of them knew of her antique dolls; a few had been delighted to have a personl tour of Ruthellen's home just to visit all the dolls.

But most of our people remember Ruthellen for her spirit. After her retirement, she would visit our offices bringing postage stamps to sell to those of us who found it difficult to get to the post office before or after work. She brought beanie babies to show and sell to collectors or grandparents alike. She brought stories of her travels and of her volunteering. She told us of her adventures and of her friends and family.

Ruthellen, we hope your current travels bring you many new sites to see, events to experience and many new friends to visit!

You will be missed...

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