Ruth Ann Peters, 87, of Rochester, entered into eternal life on Aug. 16, 2021. She was born in Greenfield on Oct. 7, 1933, to Henry M. and Minnie M. Eckel.
Ruth was a graduate of the Racine-Kenosha Rural Normal School in Union Grove. She married Orville W. Peters on Aug. 8, 1959. Orville and Ruth ran the Peters Family dairy farm in Muskego until 1978, crop farming for a number of years afterwards. While working on the family farm and raising her children, Ruth earned her teaching credential and graduated from the University of WI – Whitewater. She was an active member of Norway Lutheran Church for more than 50 years. She and her husband Orville sang in the choir for over 30 years. They also taught Sunday school together and were foster parents. In 2000, they moved to Rochester to retire.
During her retirement, Ruth enjoyed substitute teaching, traveling, bike riding, making teddy bears, knitting, playing Sheepshead, swimming, being a hospice volunteer, reading, working at the local greenhouse planting and selling flowers. She also enjoyed feeding and watching the birds. Cardinals were her favorite! She was known for her yummy pies, fresh baked bread and cookies, lasagna, chili, scalloped potatoes and carrot cake. Ruth and Orville celebrated 55 years together before he passed on May 4, 2015.
Ruth was a member of the bell choir at Norway Lutheran Church and became a deacon and a Stephen Minister. She volunteered and served at the annual Lutefisk dinner and made more Lutheran World Relief quilts than we can count! She believed that the most important thing we can do on earth is to bring the next generation to Christ.
Ruth will be remembered for how much she loved her family, her passion for teaching children, and sharing her gifts and talents with everyone. She taught fourth and fifth grades at North Cape Elementary School in Franksville for approximately 30 years. She was a gifted quilter who helped raise thousands of dollars over the years for Lutherdale Bible Camp by donating her beautiful quilts to the annual quilt auction. She also made many quilts that she enjoyed giving to family and friends to express her love and share her talent of sewing.
After being diagnosed with cancer, Ruth moved to Idaho at age 85 to be with her youngest daughter and son-in-law, where her adventures included swimming at the health club, attending events and lunches at the Senior Center, going to the library and Bible study at Hope Lutheran Church in Eagle, Idaho. She was quilting up until her last days, making over 85 charity quilt tops for St. Mark’s Comfort Quilters. She loved spending time with her great granddaughters, making new friends, continuing watching the Packers and Brewers on TV, writing numerous letters to her friends and family, and enjoying the many visitors who came to see her.
The family wishes to thank St. Luke’s hospice of Boise, Idaho for their compassionate care of Ruth during her final months. In addition, many thanks to Pastor Mike Sager of Hope Lutheran Church in Eagle, Idaho, for his kindness and numerous visits while ministering to Ruth these past two years.
Ruth is survived by her children, Carolynn Peters, John (Judy) Peters, Barbara (Gregory) Brodsack, Maggie (John) Larson, and Russell Peters; grandchildren, Jacob, Sarah and Xander Peters of California, David Brodsack of Kentucky, Christopher and Kevin Brodsack of Colorado, Jason Larson of California, and Heather Martindale; great granddaughters Parker and London Martindale of Idaho; brother Henry Eckel; sister Kathy Wendt; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, sister Dorothy Knurr, sisters-in-law Catherine Birkett and Carole Eckel, brothers-in-law Lyle Knurr, James Birkett, James Wendt and beloved husband Orville.
A memorial service for Ruth will be held at Norway Lutheran Church, 6321 Heg Park Road, Wind Lake, on Friday, Oct. 8, 2021. Visitation will be from 10 until 11 a.m. with the funeral service beginning at 11 a.m. Internment and lunch will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, Ruth’s desire was that memorials be directed to Lutherdale Bible Camp, N7891 US-12, Elkhorn WI 53121, or Norway Lutheran Church.
Church and Chapel of Waukesha, is serving the family. Well-wishers may visit www.churchandchapel.com.
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