Ruth Loew

Madison - Ruth Ann Loew crossed over, oh so gently, on Friday July 17, 2015. She was 92 and had been at Heritage Middleton memory care for over a year. Ruth courageously battled Alzheimer's with a quiet, steady determination. The disease, like that thief in the night, stole her memories bit by bit. She bravely carried on with the help of the Heritage staff and Hospice.
Now, Ruth is at peace and restored.
Born in Milwaukee, WI, on January 19, 1923 to Edwin and Gertrude Hoppe Jaeger, Ruth attended Milwaukee Downer College. She stayed in touch with friends from college her entire life attending reunions at Lawrence University, Appleton, WI, sister school to Downer. Ruth married Robert Ellingboe in 1944 and had her first child Robert (Bobby), in 1945. Robert Ellingboe was killed in the line of duty flying over the Aleutian Islands shortly after they were married. Ruth and Bobby found Jack Loew through Hazel Jean Larsen, a good friend and family member. She and Jack were married September 26, 1948. Bobby, then 3 years old, was remembered climbing under the pews during the wedding. Moving to Madison,WI in October, 1948 they settled into a new house on Hammersley Ave. for the next 65 years. Christine Ann was born in 1952.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, son Robert Loew, husband Jack, and his brother Dick. Dogs: Skipper, Magic, Lucy will also join Ruth in the heavenly reunion.
Ruth will be remembered as a gentle, quiet, industrious homemaker, violinist, accomplished seamstress, lead on her curling teams, loving mom and wife who faithfully cared for her family and friends. Ruth brought a creative element to her family. She had season tickets to University plays, and orchestra concerts. Jack occasionally would be persuaded to go. She sang with the Bethany Methodist choir, where she worshiped for over 50 years. Her family remembers Ruth bravely sledding down Cherokee School hill ending up with a cut lip at 70 something. She also went grocery shopping with a cast on her right leg, the trip ending with her car crashing through the back wall of the garage, stopped only by a tree in the backyard. No harm done to Achilles tendon injury only to the car, garage and Ruth's pride! Ruth genuinely was a beautiful woman, immaculately dressed with a style of her own, softly, sweetly, lovingly, humbly living life for her family, friends and God.
She is survived by her daughter Christine and husband Sam Ellickson, Neenah, WI; brother, Evan Jaeger (Linda) Milwaukee, WI; daughter-in-law, Nancy Loew, Peyton, CO; grandchildren: Jennifer Darby, Colorado Springs, CO; Chris Loew (Kristine), Louisville, CO; Erin Ellickson Gerry (Andrew), Portland, OR. Great-grandchildren Jessica Darby, Eunice and Ira Gerry. Ruth and Jack's sheltie, Lilly, was adopted by good friends Susan, David and Jessica Werther.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2015 at Bethany United Methodist Church, 3910 Mineral Point Rd, Madison from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Memorial service at 11:00 a.m. officiated by Brad Mather; luncheon to follow.
Memorials to the Alzheimer's Assoc, Madison Senior Center, Bethany United Methodist Church,
Thanks to Dawn, Georgeann, Lisa, Laura, Amber from Home Health United Hospice; her care was enriched by you. A huge thanks to all the staff at Heritage Middleton.
Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
608-238-3434