Ruth M. Behnke

Ruth Martha Behnke, 82, of Fond du Lac and formerly of Kewaskum, was called to her heavenly home on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at her home. Ruth was born on April 4, 1929 in Lakewood, Ohio to the Reverend Jesse J. and Dorothy (Schwarting) Lippoldt. Ruth was baptized on April 28, 1929 at Faith Lutheran Church in Lakewood. She was confirmed on April 18, 1943, at Zion Lutheran Church, Bagley, WI. As a minister's daughter, Ruth used her musical talents to accompany services in her father's parishes and sang for many weddings and funerals. She graduated from Platteville High School and Platteville State Teachers' College. Ruth was married to Orval E. Behnke on December 26, 1951 at Grace Evangelical Lutheran church in Darlington, WI.Ruth taught English at high schools in South Wayne, WI, Plymouth, Random Lake and Kewaskum. As a stay at home mom, Ruth volunteered in several organizations including Kewaskum Women's Club, AFS, Red Cross, and the Republican Party of Washington County. Ruth was formerly a member of St. Lucas Lutheran Church in Kewaskum, WI, where she directed the junior choir for many years, participated in the Ladies' Guild and senior choir, and taught Sunday School and VBS. Ruth enjoyed playing bridge, golfing, and following the Brewers. For the past fourteen years Ruth was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in North Fond du Lac.Ruth is survived by her husband, Orval; four children, Susan (Ronald) Schmitz of Fond du Lac, Deborah (Col. Paul (Ret.) Christian of Carlsbad, CA, Rev. Thomas (Karen) Behnke of North Fond du Lac, and Katherine (Rev. John) Roekle of Racine; 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Rene Verbauwhede of Manitowoc, sister-in-law, Elizabeth Behnke of Manitowoc, and brother-in-law Henry (Doris) Behnke of Reedsville; nieces and nephews. Ruth was preceded in death by her sister, Mary Jo Verbauwhede and brothers-in-law Leroy and Lem Behnke and a sister-in-law, LaVerne Behnke.



Visitation for Ruth M. Behnke will be on Saturday, April 7, 2012, from 10 AM to 1PM at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1010 Adams Avenue, North Fond du Lac. Funeral services will be at 1 PM at the church on Saturday. The Rev. Michael Kampman will officiate and burial will be in St. Lucas Lutheran Cemetery in Kewaskum. The family requests that memorials be directed St. Paul's Lutheran Church or the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, 2929 N. Mayfair Road, Milwaukee, 53222.Ruth's family extends their gratitude to the staff and residents of Lakeview Estates for their care and friendship over the last few years.Uecker-Witt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Additional information and guestbook may be found at www.ueckerwitt.com