Kaukauna – Ruth T. Melitz, formerly of Racine, passed away in the St. Paul Elder Nursing home on Saturday, February 23, 2008 She was 82. She was born in Racine on August 19, 1925, daughter of the late Henry and Mary (nee: Piotrowski) Henneke. On November 11, 1950 she was united in holy matrimony to Bruno Melitz. While Ruth was born in Racine, she grew up with her family in Germany and returned to States after the war, finding her way to Milwaukee where she met and later married Bruno. They moved to Racine shortly thereafter and Ruth spent the next 25 years raising 6 children, keeping a spotless house and cooking the most delicious German meals. What little free time she could find was spent playing cards. When her beloved Bruno died in 1976, Ruth finished raising the rest of her family then sought out new endeavors including bowling and traveling while adding bridge to her card playing repertoire. Other than the occasional baseball game on television, nights were spent enjoying a book or working crossword puzzles. Whenever the kids came to visit there was always plenty of food on the table which was quickly replaced by cards, scrabble, yahtzee or whatever was the game of the day. Her passing leaves an empty seat at the family card table. She is survived by her children, Michael (Cindy) Melitz, David (Debra) Melitz, Jeanette (William) McCurdy, Ralph (Rochelle) Melitz, Heidi (Mark) Robedeau, and Steven Melitz; 13 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren; as well as many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bruno, in 1976. A memorial mass for Ruth will be held at St. Richard of Chichester Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 29, 2008. Visitation will begin in the church at 9:30 a.m. Interment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery in Caledonia immediately following the mass. Memorials in Ruth's name to the St. Paul Elder Nursing Home (316 E. 14th Street, Kaukauna, WI 54130) have been suggested.