Ruth Pederson

Ruth "Ruthie" Pederson, 88, Athens died Saturday, March 28, 2015 in Rehab care at the Benedictine Living Community, Wausau. Ruth was born June 10, 1926 in Kaukauna, daughter of the late Lorence and Elizabeth (Wanke) Daniels. She married Robert "Bob" Pederson June 24, 1950 at St. Anthony Catholic Church Athens. He preceded her in death on December 27, 2000. Ruth was a woman of strong faith. She prayed daily for her family and friends. With the use of her computer she attended Daily Mass having resided the past three years in Assisted Living at Our House in Wausau, WI. Her greatest joy was doing for others. Some of her favorite pastimes were baking, sewing, knitting and crocheting. In her later years she knit hundreds of caps for newborns in the hospital. Having been an active member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church for most of her life, she tutored children for years along with her husband at St. Anthony School and at the Athens High School. For 70 years Ruth was a member of the National Catholic Society of Foresters having served many years as their President. Ruth and Bob farmed in Athens for many years while raising their family. She then went on to fulfill a life goal of a college degree. She graduated from the University of WI Stevens Point with both a BS and Master's Degree in teaching. Upon graduation Ruth began to teach Home Economics at the Athens High School. She retired after teaching for 20 years. She was also a 4-H Leader for many years. Survivors include her two sons, Tom (Donna) Pederson, Tomahawk and Ken (Karen) Pederson, Blanchardville, WI four daughters, Darlene Kundinger, Marshfield, Geraldine Leithe, Naples, FL, Alice (Arnie) Engeldinger, Wisconsin Rapids, Priscilla (Ronald) Fisher, Wausau; 15 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren; three brothers, Norbert "Nubby" Daniels, Athens, John (Shirley) Daniels, Athens, Rev Lawrence Daniels OCD , Kiserian, Kenya; five sisters, Agnes Tobin, Maple Valley, Wash., Sister Irene Daniels SSSF, Milwaukee, Mary (Dan) Writz, Abbotsford, Patricia (Roland) Luellwitz, Colgate, Betty Socha, Athens, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Robert, son-in-law, Kaare Leithe, daughter-in-law, Kathryn Pederson, grand daughter, Lisa Marie, grandson, Nathan Pederson, siblings, Edward Daniels and Merceda Lenhard. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 7, 2015 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Athens. The Rev. Paul Hoffman will preside. Visitation will be on Monday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens and again on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. There will be a parish rosary service at 7:00 p.m. Monday evening at the Athens funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Catholic TV, P.O. Box 9196, 34 Chestnut Street, Watertown, MA, 02471. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to all the staff at Our House Assisted Living for the outstanding care and devotion they shared with Ruth over the past three years.