Ruth Minna Grulke

October 4, 1921 - January 4, 2015

Ruth Minna Grulke, 93, of Rockford, IA, died peacefully on Sunday, January 4, 2015 at Rockwell Community Nursing Home in Rockwell, IA. A visitation will be held from 4-6 pm on Friday, January 9, 2015 at Zion Lutheran Church, 805 E. Main, Rockford. A funeral service will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at Zion Lutheran Church with a one hour prior visitation. Pastor Robert Schuerer will be officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Rockford. Ruth was born on October 4, 1921, in the town of Ixonia, Jefferson County, WI, the daughter of William and Minna (Wein) Schoen. She was baptized by Reverend H. Kahre on October 23, 1921, at Cross Lutheran Church in Ixonia, WI. She was confirmed by Reverend Waldamar Schlachtenhaufen on April 14, 1935, at Cross Lutheran Church where she sang in the church choir. She attended Green Valley School, a country school, where she graduated from eighth grade. She participated in school plays and was recognized for her high jump abilities in track. Ruth and Harvey Grulke were married by Reverend Gehardt Reiff on September 14, 1941, at Cross Lutheran Church. This marriage was blessed with one daughter, Eileen. Harvey and Ruth farmed near Ashippun, WI. They milked their dairy cows by hand producing 500 pounds of milk daily. In March of 1955 the family moved to Watertown, WI, where Harvey worked for the Watertown Street Department, sweeping streets and plowing snow. Ruth enjoyed being a mother, baking, gardening, sewing and needlework. She worked at Central Bakery and later at Vogue Dry Cleaners. The family was active members of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Watertown. After retirement in 1990, Ruth and Harvey moved to Rockford to be closer to their daughter and her husband Ken, and grandchildren. Ruth loved her grandchildren and played dominoes and sheepshead with them. She will also be remembered for making her delicious dumpling soup with chicken. Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Eileen (Kenneth) Trettin of Rockford; grandchildren, Heather (Shawn) FitzGerald of Dallas Center, IA, Anthony (Jenny) Trettin of Mason City, Christopher Trettin of Santa Monica, CA, and Reed (Tracy) Trettin of North Liberty, IA; great-grandchildren, Claire and Brianne FitzGerald of Dallas Center, Harley Trettin of Mason City, William, Wyatt and Alaina Trettin of North Liberty. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Harvey on June 18, 1998; parents, William and Minna Schoen; brother, Clarence Schoen; half brother, Albert Schoen; half sisters, Adela Schoen and Sadie (Alvin) Tietz; and many other close family members. Memorials may be given to the Ruth Grulke Memorial Fund. Arrangements are with Fullerton Schumburg Funeral Home, 302 West Main, Rockford, Iowa 50468 641-756-3311, www.Fullertonfh.com