GRULKE, Ruth Minna (Schoen) 1921-2015

GRULKE, SCHOEN, WEIN

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 1/6/2015 at 18:22:41

ROCKFORD, IOWA - Ruth Minna Grulke, 93, of Rockford, died peacefully on Sunday, January 4, 2015, at the Rockwell Community Nursing Home in Rockwell.

A visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 9, 2015, at Zion Lutheran Church, 805 E. Main, Rockford. A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015, at Zion Lutheran Church with a one hour prior visitation. Pastor Robert Schuerer will be officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Rockford.

Ruth was born on October 4, 1921, in the town of Ixonia, Jefferson County, Wisconsin, the daughter of William and Minna (Wein) Schoen. She was baptized by the Reverend H. Kahre on Oct. 23, 1921, at Cross Lutheran Church in Ixonia, Wisconsin. She was confirmed by the Reverend Waldamar Schlachtenhaufen on April 14, 1935, at Cross Lutheran Church where she sang in the church choir.

She attended Green Valley School, a country school, where she graduated from eighth grade. She participated in school plays and was recognized for her high jump abilities in track.

Ruth and Harvey Grulke were married by the Reverend Gehardt Reiff on Sept. 14, 1941, at Cross Lutheran Church. This marriage was blessed with one daughter, Eileen. Harvey and Ruth farmed near Ashippun, Wisconsin. They milked their dairy cows by hand producing 500 pounds of milk daily.

In March of 1955 the family moved to Watertown, Wisconsin, where Harvey worked for the Watertown Street Department, sweeping streets and plowing snow. Ruth enjoyed being a mother, baking, gardening, sewing and needlework. She worked at Central Bakery and later at Vogue Dry Cleaners. The family was active members of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Watertown.

After retirement in 1990, Ruth and Harvey moved to Rockford to be closer to their daughter and her husband Ken, and grandchildren. Ruth loved her grandchildren and played dominoes and sheepshead with them. She will also be remembered for making her delicious dumpling soup with chicken.

Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Eileen (Kenneth) Trettin of Rockford; grandchildren, Heather (Shawn) FitzGerald of Dallas Center, Iowa, Anthony (Jenny) Trettin of Mason City, Christopher Trettin of Santa Monica, California, and Reed (Tracy) Trettin of North Liberty, Iowa; great-grandchildren, Claire and Brianne FitzGerald of Dallas Center, Harley Trettin of Mason City, William, Wyatt and Alaina Trettin of North Liberty.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Harvey on June 18, 1998; parents, William and Minna Schoen; brother, Clarence Schoen; half-brother, Albert Schoen; half-sisters, Adela Schoen and Sadie (Alvin) Tietz; and many other close family members.

Memorials may be given to the Ruth Grulke Memorial Fund.

Arrangements are with Fullerton Schumburg Funeral Home, 302 West Main, Rockford, IA 50468; 641-756-3311. www.Fullertonfh.com

Source: Mason City Globe Gazette, 6 JAN 2015