Ruth M. Stecker, age 92 entered eternal life on October 1, 2022. She is the former Ruth Reinhardt, born November 28, 1929 in Plymouth, the daughter of proud immigrants, the late Emil Reinhardt and Marie Trost Reinhardt Holm who came to Wisconsin from Germany. Losing her father when she was four years old, Ruth was raised during the depression with a great devotion to her family, faith and strong work ethic. She started kindergarten only able to speak German and became the first in her family to learn English. Ruth graduated from Kiel High School in 1948 and kept in touch with her many classmate friends.

On January 26, 1952, Ruth married James A. Stecker at St. Peter's United Church of Christ in Kiel. James had to leave for military service one week later during which time Ruth was a receptionist at a Doctor's office in Kiel. When James returned from the military they moved to New Holstein in 1954 where they have resided ever since. Ruth will forever be remembered by friends for her genuine kindness to others and her caring devotion to family.

Ruth provided child care for the children of friends and families resulting in life long relationships with her kids that knew her as "Ruthie". She enjoyed gardening and took special pride in her perennials and flower beds. She also had a passion in caring for all of God's creatures from feeding the birds in winter to providing care for feral kittens.

Ruth was a member of the New Holstein American Legion Auxiliary and a member of Zion Lutheran Church, New Holstein, where she was a Sunday school teacher, church custodian with her husband for 22 years and assisted the family in maintaining the church grounds for 50 years.

Survivors include her husband of 70 years, James, son Dennis Stecker, daughter Candy Stecker, brother-in-law Donald Forbes, niece Lorilee (Jonathan) Walber, nephew Scott (Dawn) Forbes and very special friends, the JoDelle Wagy family and Faye and Jim Burg.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, infant sister, stepfather Fritz Holm, infant son Steven Stecker and sister Lorraine Reinhardt Thiessen, brother-in-law LeDale Thiessen and sister-in-law Marilyn Stecker Forbes.

The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to the Calumet County Hospice staff, especially Medical Director Dr. Benjamin Dellaria MD, Nurse Anna and Aide Amanda for their wonderful care and to Pastor Azor Cigelske for his faithful messages and visits.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at Zion Lutheran Church, 1702 Van Buren Street, New Holstein, WI 53061. Rev. Azor Cigelske will officiate. Services for Ruth will be live streamed. Please use the following link https://youtu.be/AZrShiklsv0

Visitation: Family and friends may visit with Ruth's family at Zion Lutheran Church on Saturday, November 12th from 12:00 Noon until 1:45 PM.

Per Ruth's wishes cremation has occurred and inurnment will take place at a later date at New Holstein City Cemetery.

For further information, please contact the Sippel Funeral Home in New Holstein (920) 898-4300 or visit www.sippelfuneralhome.net.