Ruth Helen Grell

Ruth Helen Grell of Marathon, formerly of Merrill, Wisconsin passed away peacefully at the age of 99.

Ruth was born on January 18, 1926 to August and Margaret (Jaeger) Schleif in Pine River where she was born and raised.

She met the love of her life Ray while working with him at the Merrill Woolen Mills. Ruth married Raymond Grell on May 28, 1949. Together they moved to Wausau, Wisconsin where they started their family and raised their three children. They enjoyed 61 joyful years together before Ray was called home in 2011.

Ruth was a hard worker and worked many jobs at area restaurants and also cleaned for many area businesses. More importantly, she truly believed in helping and serving others. For 28 years she devoted her time as a driver for Marathon County, meeting many new people along the way. She was also a member of the VFW and a life member of the Disabled American Veterans where she served as the treasurer for many years.

Family was everything to Ruth. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great- grandmother, and great- great grandmother. She was the center of the family and was always so proud to talk about them all. Ruth found joy in traveling, flower gardening, hummingbird and bird watching, making quilts at church, playing games, word searches, and her shopping trips to the Dollar Tree. She was very proud of her coloring and would always have new pieces to show everyone.

Ruth is survived by her 2 children: a daughter, Nancy (Ken) Schmidt, Loyal; one son, David (Geralynn) Grell Rib Mountain; one daughter in law, Kathy Grell, Marathon. She was a proud grandma to seven grandchildren: Paul (Peggy) Holbach, Wendy Hartel, Tracy (Kyle) Lang, Jacob (Kim) Grell, Brittany (Robbie) Walters, Betsy & Joanna Grell. Nine great- grandchildren: Chastity, Alex, & Hailey Holbach, Aiden & Taelyn Lang, William & Keagan Hartel, Bailey Grell, and Brooke Walters. Three great-great grandchildren: William, Sawyer, and Marceline McKorkle. She is survived by one sister: Mildred Burrows, Merrill. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews that were very special to her.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Ray; one son Roger Grell; her great grandson Tyler Holbach, her parents August & Margaret Schleif, three brothers: Alfred, Theodore, & Rudolph Schleif and many other family members.

A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday May 22, 2025 at 7:00 PM at St. Stephen Lutheran Church (512 Mcclellan St, Wausau, WI 54403) with Pastor Karoline Schwantes Officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday May 22, 2025 from 4:00 PM until the hour of service at the church. Entombment will be held on Friday May 23, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.

Ruth's family would like to thank her wonderful caregivers throughout her last few years: Stacey Duberstein, Adriana Gomez, Leah Davis, Jayden Carlson, Alyssa Sessions, and Ashley Urmanski for taking such wonderful care of Ruth. They would also like to thank the staff at the Aspirus Palliative Care Unit and Hospice for the special care given to Ruth in her final days.