Ruth D. (Zilke) Felgenhauer

Surrounded by her loving family, Ruth D. Felgenhauer, age 85, passed away into the welcoming arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, March 12, 2013.  Ruth was born in Racine on December 9, 1927, daughter of the late Arnold and Anna (Nee:  Johne) Zilke.

On September 29, 1951, at The First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Racine, she was united in marriage to James G. Felgenhauer, who preceded her in death on July 1, 2005.  Ruth was employed as a Registered Nurse for many years, working in private practice with Dr. Covell, at the A Center, and in private home care.  She was a member of The First Evangelical Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday School and sang in the choir.  She was a volunteer at Lutheran Pregnancy Counseling Centers in Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan.  She enjoyed singing, baking, cooking, gardening and golfing.  She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who will be dearly missed.

Survivors include her children, Paula (Michael) Silich, Patrice (Nathan) Pope, all of Racine, Peter (Carol) Felgenhauer of Bristol; her grandchildren, Ryan (Mindi) Silich, Aaron Silich, Evan (Amanda) Silich, Lauren (Aaron) Naatz, Gregory (Jennifer) Pope, Melanie (Matthew) Schuette, Nicholas (fiancée Dayana) Pope, Natalie (Manny) Salinas, Maximilian Felgenhauer, and Joseph Felgenhauer; her six great-grandchildren; her sisters, Hertha Dederich of Green Valley, AZ, and Doris Stanke of Racine; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.  In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Lillian Stacey, G. Jean Styscko; her brothers-in-law, Herbert Felgenhauer, Frank Dederich, Karl Stanke, Edmond Stacey, and Clifford Styscko; and her sister-in-law, Elayne Felgenhauer.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 15, 2013, at 11 a.m. at The First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 728 Villa St., with Rev. John Roekle officiating.  Private interment will be held at West Lawn Memorial Park.  Relatives and friends may meet with the family on Thursday at the funeral home from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and Friday at the church from 10 a.m. until time of service at the church.  Memorials may be made to the Organ Fund of First Evangelical Lutheran Church or to the Choices of Life Center.

The family sincerely thanks the staff at Hospice Advantage for their assistance in Ruth’s final illness, in particular Renee, Crystal, Heather and Marion.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine   (262) 634-7888