Ruth Ann Kulas

Ruth Kulas, of Stevens Point, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her children, on March 9, 2026, at Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital, at the age of 88.

Ruth was born March 7, 1938, in Chicago, IL; daughter of the late Louis and Ann (Harrer) Stoeberl, who had recently immigrated from Germany. Ruth became a big sister in 1940 when her sister, Susan, was born. In 1943, the family relocated to Grand Marsh, WI, where Ruth attended grade school. She enjoyed an idyllic childhood, riding bicycles, playing croquet, and hunting for 4-leaf clovers. In high school, she spent summers in Wisconsin Dells, working at restaurants and a laundry service. In 1955, Ruth graduated from Adams-Friendship High School.

Following high school, Ruth attended Central State Teachers College, now known as UWSP, and graduated in 1959 with a major in English and a minor in German. Shortly after graduating from high school, she met Greg Kulas at the Newman Club and the two were engaged in August of 1957. They married on January 2, 1960 at Sacred Heart Church in Winnetka, IL. From 1959 to 1961, Ruth taught English and German at Waterford High School while Greg studied for his masters degree at Marquette University. In 1961, the couple moved to Stevens Point where Greg taught physics and astronomy at UWSP. In 1966, they bought their home on Church Street and would live there for 49 years, raising their 7 children. Ruth worked diligently to create a loving home for her family and enjoyed the entire neighborhood. Ruth and Greg were greatly missed by neighbors when, in 2016, they moved to a more handicap accessible house on Jordan Lane. Nine years later, Ruth moved to Dimensions where she thrived for the last year of her life.

Throughout her life, Ruth enjoyed a variety of pastimes and had bountiful creative abilities from writing poetry to making and sending cards to relatives and friends for birthdays and holidays, often using her own photography skills to create the cards, and quilting and sewing on her 1957 Elna sewing machine. In fact, Ruth actively participated in three different quilt groups. She lovingly made quilts for all of her children and grandchildren as well as for friends, and for many years, made quilts for Pacelli Panacea.

Ruth also enjoyed being creative in the kitchen, using food from her own garden. She could often be found canning, freezing, cooking, and baking delicious goodies for those she loved. She also enjoyed listening to music on NPR. In quieter moments, Ruth enjoyed reading books including spiritual books, cookbooks, and mysteries, as well as playing word games and Sudoku. Ruth maintained her friendships from childhood and enjoyed get-togethers with her "Grand Marsh Girls". Being a Chicago native, she was an avid Cubs fan, following the games daily on her computer and even attending games at Wrigley Field. In more recent years, she enjoyed the annual family pilgrimage to Milwaukee to watch her Cubs take on the Brewers.

Ruth lived a driven life and was not afraid to take charge. She was a proud leader of La Leche League from 1967 to 1985. Furthermore, she and Greg dedicated much time to their faith. While most recently they were active members at Holy Spirit Parish, in earlier years they were founding members of the Newman University Parish, established in 1970 where they were longtime, active members. Over all the years, Ruth devoted time serving as a lector, eucharistic minister, and musician. She shared her creative talents with the church as well, cooking meals for new parents and student suppers, and sewing garments and banners for the parish. She was a member of the family life committee, a lay minister, and a leader of prayer. Ruth was humbled to read the creation story at the Easter Vigil for 12 years.

Ruth is survived by her children, Gregory (Kathy), Stephen (Pam), Mary (Kevin), Michael (Anita), Christopher (Nicole), David, and Thomas (Donna); her grandchildren, Daniel (Grace), Michael (fiancé Gabby), Sarah, Noah, Maddie, Lydia, Emily, Sophia, Claire, Michael, Katie (fiancé Natalie), Leah, Paul, Andrew (Jessica), Jack, Samuel, Jacob and Kaleigh; and her first great-grandchild due to arrive in September, for which she was extremely excited. She is further survived by her sister, Susan Stoeberl of Stevens Point; brothers-in-law, Ken Kulas and Ric (Lorry) Walters; and nieces and nephews, Kendric (Maria) Walters and daughter Miri, and Ben (Ali) and daughter Stella; 6 Godchildren; her Holy Spirit family; and many cousins, dear friends and former neighbors.

Ruth was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Greg; her parents, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

The family extends a special thank you to the ICU staff at Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital for their kindness and compassionate care during Ruth's recent illness.

For those wishing to express their sympathies, the family kindly requests in lieu of flowers, memorials be made in Ruth's honor to one of the following: Holy Spirit Parish, Operation Bootstrap, or Pacelli Catholic Schools.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church (2151 Stanley Street, Stevens Point). Friends and family are invited to gather and share memories on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Shuda Funeral Chapel (3200 Stanley Street, Stevens Point) with a General Rosary at 7:00 PM, and again on Wednesday at the church from 10:00 AM until the time of service.

Shuda Funeral Chapel is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements.