Bae Ruth N. (Bandekow) Kirschbaum

Bae Ruth Naomi (nee Bandekow) Kirschbaum, of Cassville, WI passed away on Sunday, July 20, 2025, at Lancaster Health Services at the age of 98. Born January 20, 1927, in Cassville, Wisconsin, Bae Ruth was the eldest of four children born to William H. Bandekow and Ima Fritz. Growing up, her childhood was shaped by both the hardship era of the Great Depression and World War II.

When she was five, they moved to Lancaster to live with their maternal grandmother. Graduating high school in 1944, she worked for REA (Rural Electric Assoc.), attended the Minneapolis Electronic School, and worked as a bookkeeper/receptionist. Later she went to SW VoTech and UW-Madison to become a Grade IV librarian and worked at the Cassville library for 31 years, primarily as the children’s librarian: retiring in December 2015.

She was a familiar face and resource to many. She took her love of reading and children to Stonefield’s “Safe and Spooky” annual Halloween event. For over 15 years, Bae Ruth coordinated the storytime activity and was one of the storytellers.

Bae Ruth married LaVerne J. Kirschbaum on February 1, 1951, at St. Mary’s Church in Dubuque. They lived in Cassville on Main St in the apartment above Laverne’s shop, Schauff and Kirschaum’s Plumbing and Heating. In 1960, they built and moved into their home on Mulberry Drive. They raised six children there. Bae Ruth and LaVerne enjoyed square dancing, and both were very involved in the community. They were married for 55 years before LaVerne’s death in 2006. After his death, Bae Ruth moved first on Jack Oak Road where she enjoyed living on the Mississippi River, watching the river’s changing seasons, then to W. Bluff St.

As with many small towns, Cassville relies on its’ residents to volunteer their time, talent and dedication to support and sustain many of the organizations, events and fundraisers.

Over the years, she volunteered countless hours for many organizations, including St. Charles Catholic School and Church, Twin-O-Rama, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, working the elections, and Friends of Stonefield Village. She worked and volunteered as a tour guide at Stonefield’s Governor Nelson Dewey’s home. Bae Ruth was a member of the Cassville Historical Society, Cassville Women’s Club, NCCW, and VFW Wives Club.

Bae Ruth enjoyed walking, especially along the river; and biking, being a familiar sight on her bike around town. She enjoyed searching for treasures at sales, loved musicals and theatre, bowling, bridge, poetry and collected Asian decor. She was a voracious reader; was a member of a local book club for many years; and enjoyed both the lively discussions and serving as a moderator for many of the gatherings. She loved hosting and attending family gatherings: Christmas, Mother’s Day, picnics, the annual family reunion, birthdays, and especially enjoyed her time with the grand and great-grandchildren.

She was a beautiful woman, with a style all her own. She cherished the friendships she made in all phases of her life. Her impact on others over her lifetime is immeasurable and will live on. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Bae Ruth was preceded in death by her husband LaVerne, brothers Burdette, Blake and Arlyn, her parents and other relatives – son-in law Paul, brothers and sisters-in-law and friends.

She is survived by her children: Steven G. Kirschbaum (Suzanne), Slick (S.J.) Kirschbaum (Sherry Roundy), Sheila Kirschbaum (Guy Trgo), Al (Alan) Kirschbaum (Janine), Susan Patzner (Rick Lucas), and Shirley Kirschbaum (Dave Boileau), 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Marcia Kirschbaum, Joanne Kirschbaum, Ann Bandekow, and Juanita Bandekow; cousin Shari (Bandekow) Sutton, friends and relatives.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Charles Catholic Church in Cassville with Fr. Sudhakar Devarapu officiating. Burial will be in St. Charles Cemetery, Cassville. Family and friends may visit on Friday, July 25, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Martin Schwartz Funeral Homes & Crematory in Cassville. Friends may also visit on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National Psoriasis Foundation, Cassville Fire Department and Rescue Squad, the Susan B. Komen Wisconsin, Friends of Stonefield Village or Lancaster Cancer Foundation.

The family would like to thank the staff at Agrace Hospice and Lancaster Health Services for their compassionate and loving care.