Ruth Rose Georgeson

Racine – Ruth Rose Georgeson, 95, cherished wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 15, at St. Monica’s Assisted Living in Racine.  Ruth spent her life caring for others as a nurse, mother to 8, grandmother to 23, and great-grandmother to 36.  She will especially be remembered for her dedication to her family and her talents for knitting and quilting.

Ruth was born on September 9, 1920, to August and Mary Kluender in Kenosha.  As a child, she had a special relationship with her 4 maternal aunts and made frequent trips to Appleton to visit them.  Ruth graduated from Mary D. Bradford high school in Kenosha and then studied nursing at Mercy Hospital in Oshkosh.  While there, Ruth met the love of her life, Russell Lee Georgeson. They married in 1942 and remained together for 73 years, until Russ’s death in September 2014.  While raising her children, Ruth also worked as a nurse at the Sienna Center and the Racine County Mental Health Clinic.
 
Ruth and Russ returned to Oshkosh in retirement, enjoying many happy years in their home on the shore of Lake Buttes des Morts.  Ruth spent her time quilting, sewing, knitting, and doing needlepoint.  She had a remarkable eye for color and made countless beautiful creations.  These pieces are Ruth’s legacy, as they will remind friends and family of her love for years to come.

Even when Ruth lost her vision to macular degeneration, she continued her hobby, donating quilts to charity and making baby blankets for families in need.  Ruth also served as a docent at the EAA Museum in Oshkosh.  In addition to sewing, Ruth enjoyed collecting dolls, traveling, and cooking.  Her family will especially remember her delicious recipes for German potato salad, red cabbage, rhubarb pie, and homemade pickles.

Left to remember Ruth with deepest love and affection are her children Pat (John) Green of Sheboygan; Joe (Linda) Georgeson of Fredonia; Jim (Sandy) Georgeson, John (Cynthia) Georgeson, Cathie (John) Lehman, Jean (Joe) Boticki, and Peter (Peggy) Georgeson all of Racine; 23 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren throughout Wisconsin, Minnesota, California, Missouri, and China; and many nieces and nephews.  Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Russell, and son, Robert, as well as her parents, Mary and August Kluender, sister, Marie (Kluender) Klevickis, and brother, Robert Kluender.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday April 23, 11:00 am, at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring Street.  Visitation will be from 10:00 am until the time of the service.  Entombment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery on Highway 32 in Caledonia.  The family has suggested memorials to Saint Monica’s or the Hospice Alliance of Pleasant Prairie.

The family would also like to extend a special thank you to Ruth’s caregivers at Saint Monica’s and Jackie at Hospice Alliance for supporting our mother and grandmother with love and compassion in her final days.