Ruby Kolbe

Ruby Kolbe 89, 9509 Packer Drive., Wausau, died Friday February 6, 2004 under the care of Comfort Care and Hospice Services at Community Health Care Wausau Hospital. She was born September 10, 1914 in Audubon County, Iowa, daughter of the late Charles and Minnie (Heuss) Vonheeder. On August 14, 1946, she married Elmer E. Kolbe in Wausau. He preceded her in death on October 22, 1985. After graduation from Audubon High School, Ruby taught at rural Audubon County schools for several years. In 1941, she moved to Wausau and taught in rural Marathon County schools before marrying Elmer Kolbe. Along with her husband, she participated in the operation of the Kolbe Brothers Lumber Company, and after his death, she served as president of the company until the time of her retirement. Special to her was the time she spent doting on her grandchildren. She enjoyed fishing, especially catching more and bigger fish than anyone else as well as going up north to the cabin. Survivors include two daughters, Jeanette (Mike Kellnhauser) Kolbe and Sandie (Doug Gierl) Kolbe, all of Wausau; three grandchildren, Ahren Osterbrink, Amy (Bradley) Leland and Brian Osterbrink; one great-grandson, Morgan Leland; one sister, Wilma (Arnold) Kolbe, Marathon; one brother, Vernon (Bernice) Vonheeder, Wausau. Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Elnora; three brothers, Raymond, Charles and Byron. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday February 17, 2004, at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Ave., Wausau. Rev. Fred Kulovits will officiate. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Friends may call on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the Stewart Avenue funeral home. Online condolences at www.petersonkraemer.com