Ruth Herbeck

Stoughton - Ruth Jane Herbeck, "Ruthie", age 87, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2014. She was born on August 5, 1926 in Elroy, Wisconsin, the daughter of Frederick and Wilhelmenia Jensen. She was united in marriage to Daniel Frank Herbeck on August 4, 1951 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Elroy, Wisconsin. He preceded her in death in 2002.

Ruth received her Bachelor Degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse and went on to receive a Master Degree in Education from University of Wisconsin Whitewater. Ruth taught for 32 years in both Hillsboro and Stoughton, predominately as a Unit Leader for fifth grade at Kegonsa Elementary School in Stoughton. After retiring, Ruth spent her time as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Ruth was an active member for over 56 years in the parish she loved, St. Ann's Catholic Church and it was through her parish that she found great joy in serving in many different ministries, most recently including the Liturgy and Vocations Commissions, as well as several prayer groups. She was also an active member in the Society of St. Vincent DePaul and was a Charter Member of the Stoughton Lioness since 1976. Ruth enjoyed traveling including trips to Norway, Alaska, Germany, Italy, France and numerous visits each year to her children in Canada, Sweden, Boston and Dallas. She loved being outdoors and spent numerous hours joyously tending to her flower and vegetable gardens throughout the summer months. Ruth's unwavering faith gave her the strength, energy and foundation for what she will be remembered for most - her loving heart, the kindness of her spirit, the generosity of her warm smile and hugs and unselfish attention to those in need through both prayer and service.

Loving mother of Steve (Kristine) of Mineral Point, Wisconsin, Mary Jane Segerlund of Stockholm Sweden, Suzi (Tom) Garrity of Medfield, Massachusetts and Brent (Patty) of Carrollton, Texas. Devoted grandmother of Danny (Brittney), Sven, Mackenzie, Kelly, Luke and Zachary. Ruth's two sisters, Genevieve Ricciardi of Wheaton, Illinois and Rosemary Lunde of Elroy, Wisconsin, survive her.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents Frederick and Wilhemenia, daughter Mary Jo, son-in-law Christer, daughter-in-law Sheryl, great-grandson Bentley, two brothers Frederick and Donald, and sister Joan.

Friends may call from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 9, 2014 at Cress Funeral Home of Stoughton and from 10 a.m. until the time of services on Monday at St. Ann's Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 10, 2014 at St. Ann's Catholic Church, 323 N Van Buren Street, Stoughton, WI with Father Randy Budnar and Monsignor Gerard Healy co-presiding. Friends and relatives are invited to a luncheon immediately following the service in the St. Ann's Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the St. Ann's Education Endowment Fund, 323 North Van Buren Street, Stoughton, Wisconsin 53589 or www.stanns-school.org .

I am home in Heaven, dear ones; oh, so happy and so bright!
There is perfect joy and beauty in this everlasting light.
All the pain and grief is over, every restless tossing passed;
I am now at peace forever, safely home in Heaven at last.
Did you wonder I so calmly trod the valley of the shade?
Oh! But Jesus' love illumined every dark and fearful glade.
And He came Himself to meet me in that way so hard to tread;
And with Jesus' arm to lean on, could I have one doubt or dread?
Then you must not grieve so sorely, for I love you dearly still:
Try to look beyond earth's shadows, pray to trust our Father's Will.
There is work still waiting for you, so you must not idly stand;
Do it now, while life remaineth - you shall rest in Jesus' land.
When that work is all completed, He will gently call you Home;
Oh, the rapture of that meeting; oh, the joy to see you come!