Ruth L. Kruschke

Ruth Lorraine (Dobrenz) Kruschke left us for her heavenly home on 2 March 2025 at the American Lutheran Home, Menomonie, after years of fading memory.

She was born to Julius & Phoebe (LeBaron) Dobrenz on 09-12-1927 in Sheboygan, WI and raised in Augusta, WI.  She wed James A. Kruschke on 8-31-1946 for a 60 year marriage and spent the rest of her life in Eau Claire.

She was the first of the Dobrenz sisters, Ruby (Harold) Bauch, Marie (Sam) Nelson, and Nancy (Jim) VonAsten, plus an infant brother who died at birth.  She & Jim survived a house fire their first year of marriage but were able to recover and raised five children: Neil (Ruth A. Inman) Kruschke, Kenneth Kruschke, Donald (Pam Johnson) Kruschke, Mary (Douglas) Arkin and Ann (Bert) Flynn.  First on 9th St. in Eau Claire, then at the “new house” in the Town of Union.

“Tootie” was a “K-Mart sweetheart” for over 25 years, many in Layaway; always hard working, organized and cheerful.

Ten grandchildren arrived: Adam (Nicole) Kruschke, Becky (Ryan) Howell, Paul (Dawn) Kruschke, Jessica Bradford, Nicholas (Patricia) Kruschke, Pamela Arkin (Dave) Dewart, John and Michael Flynn.  Two preceded her in death, Andrew Kruschke and Evan Dziuk.  They in turn provided her with eleven great grandchildren: Alexzandra, Nathan, and Brady Kruschke, Emma, twins Jackson and Jameson Howell, Graceanne and Samuel Bradford, Miles Dewart, and Zoe and Zac Kruschke.

She and Jim always had a huge garden, many dogs, cats and horses plus LOTS of lawn, which she insisted on tractor mowing herself until her early 90’s.  They were very involved with the Eau Claire Boys Drum & Bugle Corps/Sundowners, where all four oldest kids participated.  Later they supported Annie in her rodeo path to the National High School Rodeo Finals. She was active in the Town of Union Homemakers and assisted with voting and folding bulletins at St. John’s church. She loved picking berries, cards and card club, bowling, ceramics, bingo and trips to the casinos, both locally and Las Vegas with her friends Aloydus Johnson and Flossie Iverson. Her wedding cakes graced many weddings and countless hours were spent on sandbakkels, decorating cookies and later jello with Dream whip and various gummies (hence the nickname “Grandma Jello”). Family Picnic (reunion) was very special to her.  She and her family coordinated it several times, each time with new t-shirts. Once their kids left home, Ruth & Jim traveled to Washington state, various military deployments, California, Michigan, and Kansas to make sure the kids were okay. Seventy plus years of fun in the outdoors in all seasons took place at their self built “cottage/cabin” at Sunset Bay Road on Long Lake.  Lots of fishing (she usually caught the first fish), swimming, boating, water skiing behind “The Ark”, leaf raking and bonfires with “beverages” and S’morews are remembered with joy and tears by family and friends.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Menomonie American Lutheran Home and St. Croix Hospice, who kept her safe and comfortable and supported us through the last year.

Funeral services for Ruth will take place at 11 am on Friday, March 21, 2025 at St. John's Lutheran Church, 1804 Highland Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54701 with Pastor Christine Emerson officiating.  Visitation will take place at the church on that day from 9 am until the time of service.  Burial will take place in the Rest Haven Cemetery in the Town of Washington immediately following the service. To view the service virtually please use the link provided  https://youtube.com/live/aAbPYXBz0Ww?feature=share

Memorials to St. John’s Lutheran Church, St. Croix Hospice or the Alzheimer's Association are appreciated. Friends and family may offer condolences online at www.hulkefamilyfh.com.

Hulke Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701 is assisting the family with the arrangements.  

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