Ruth M. Hirsch

1926 - 2012

Ruth Margaret Dahlke Hirsch was born Oct. 1, 1926, the second daughter and fourth child of the late Joseph and Susan (Fochs) Dahlke. Twin siblings would follow. Ruth died Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012, in the loving care of her family at the Aspirus Hospice House in Wausau, Wis.

Survivors include her three children, son, Thomas J-D. Hirsch, Elizabeth (David) Tanger and Suzanne (Dr. Thomas) Gallant, all of Wausau; five grandchildren, Jennifer A. (John) Fieldhouse, Redlands, Calif., Robyn Tanger, Wausau, Cassandra (Caleb) Feidt, Wausau, Zachary Tuszka, Madison, and Matthew Tanger, Madison; and one great-grandchild, Jude A. Fieldhouse, Redlands. Ruth is also survived by her younger sister, Joyce Siewert, Wausau; and sisters-in-law, Alice Dahlke and Dolores Dahlke, both of Wausau, and Sue Dahlke, Batesville, Miss.; and 18 nieces and nephews.

Ruth was preceded in death by her sister, Susan Gripentrog; and brothers, Harold "Bud" Dahlke and Harvey Dahlke, both from Wausau, and Jerome Dahlke, Batesville.

Ruth was a 1944 graduate of the former Wausau High School. Part of the "Greatest Generation," Ruth, like hundreds of thousands of women during World War II, worked in factories in support of the war effort on the home front while the "boys" fought on beaches and in trenches in two theatres of war. Ruth, along with her mother and older sister, worked at Marathon Rubber making raincoats for soldiers. She later worked at Marathon Electric making electric motors for the military. The work of these women was vital to America's ultimate victory and all of these women remain unrecognized war heroes. During those war years, the nation had to make difficult sacrifices; everyone had to get by with less. Food and many other items we now take for granted were rationed. Ruth remembered those hard years, which would in part shape the values she would live by for the rest of her life.

Though Ruth lived and worked briefly in Chicago for the American Telephone and Telegraph Company, she would work most of her life in downtown Wausau in retail sales for Sears Roebuck, Lad and Lassie, Modern Shoe and Harry Heinemann Clothiers. She reluctantly retired in 2008 at age 82 from the former Manson Insurance, where she worked for 20 years.

Ruth will be remembered by all for her uncompromising work ethic, her engaging sense of humor and her indomitable spirit. It seemed as if Ruth knew everyone and all who knew her became a friend. She was the quintessential extrovert.

Her children remember Ruth as a mother who always put her children first; a strong disciplinarian who was forgiving and comforting, and a lifelong guiding influence and a source of inspiration and encouragement. Ruth loved music and played both piano and organ, having the uncanny ability to play a song "by ear," having heard it only once; and always adding her own unique musical twists. Ruth loved being outdoors, soaking up the summer sun. A devout Catholic, Ruth's faith was unshaken by tragedy and unwavering in her devotion. Ruth was the center, the heart and soul of the family, and her home was "Home" for her family, long after all had left the nest.

Somehow Ruth remained younger than her years in both inner spirit and outer beauty. She looked and lived a lifestyle 20 years younger than her years. Ruth loved sports and regularly attended University of Wisconsin Badger football games with her family. She cheered for both the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears. She was a NASCAR fan, who cheered for Jeff Gordon and Jimmy Johnson, which perhaps explained her tendency to push the speed limit before hanging up her car keys a few years ago.

Ruth enjoyed dancing, playing cards, latch-hooking rugs, coin collecting, word search puzzles, listening to concerts on the 400 Block and attending every sporting event, recital or undertaking her grandchildren participated in.

Referred to simply and affectionately as "Granny" by her grandchildren, Ruth will forever be remembered by them for her many "granny-ism" expressions that served as a constant source of surprise and delight. They will also miss her one-of-a-kind homemade fudge and old-fashioned malted-milk-shakes, the same as those Ruth made as a teenager working behind the soda fountain at Flowers Drug in Wausau.

In her final year, Ruth's health began to deteriorate but her indomitable spirit and sense of humor remained until the end.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012, at The Church of St. Anne with a celebratory Mass to follow. A private entombment service will be Tuesday afternoon in the Garden of Eternal Rest at Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made in Ruth's name to The Church of St. Anne, Wausau, to help fund projects close to her heart.

Online condolences, sentiments and memories may be shared at petersonkraemer.com.