Mt. Pleasant – Ruth Alice Birkholz, 89, passed away at Ridgewood Care Center on Monday, June 21, 2016. She was born in Racine on August 1, 1926, daughter of the late Adrian and Pearl (nee Fredrickson) Wilson. Ruth retired from the Southern Wisconsin Center in 1990, where she was a registered nurse for more than 20 years.

Ruth enjoyed spending her retirement on the family property, affectionately known as 'Shalimar', in Boulder Junction where she liked to drive around on her golf cart, spend time quietly reading, listening to classical music, and caring for her dogs. Most of all though she enjoyed sharing in the lives of her children and grandchildren.

Ruth is survived by her children: Rick (Kathy) Birkholz, Robin Birkholz, Rusty (Theresa) Birkholz all of Racine, Rebecca (Jim) Chianelli of Laveen, Arizona; grandchildren: Danielle Birkholz, Rusty Birkholz, Zachary Birkholz, Trevor Higgins, Nicole Higgins, and Sean Higgins; great-grandchildren: Trinity, Jaylen, Trevor, Sierra, and Jaxson; sister: Jeanette Emerson; her "unofficial grandchildren" Brett and Michelle Gagnon; as well as other relatives and friends. She was also preceded in death by her son, Robert Birkholz; and brothers: Adrian, James, Charles, Bruce, and Roland and Donald Wilson; and sister: Pearl Czechowicz

Memorial Services for Ruth will be held in the funeral home on Monday, June 27, 2016 at 12 noon. Visitation will begin at 11am. Donations in memory of Ruth to Wisconsin Talking Book & Braille Library (813 W. Wells Street, Milwaukee, WI 53233) or Froedtert Hospital Foundation – Cancer Center (9200 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53226) have been suggested.

Ruth's family extends their gratitude and thanks to the staff at Ridgewood Care Center 2E. Your kindness and caring manner was noticed and appreciated by us all.