Ruthann Loehning

Ruthann (Kruse) Loehning of Greenville, WI passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home on Tuesday April 13, 2021. Ruthann was born at home in Appleton, WI to Molly and Ernie Kruse on January 1, 1937. Ruthann graduated from Neenah High School in 1955 and on September 1, 1956 she married her high school sweetheart Donald Loehning. Together they shared 56 years of love and laughter until Don passed away in 2012.

Ruthann worked at Kresge’s and Kmart for 20 years once her five children were in school. In 1973 Don and Ruthann purchased land in Marinette County and built a cabin that she enjoyed spending time at with her family. In her downtime Ruthann enjoyed creating beautiful needle point artwork that she often gifted to others. In retirement she enjoyed many winters with Don in Arizona where they happily entertained family and friends.

She is survived by her children: Annette (Dave) Zelinski; Wendy (Mark) Hamilton; Polly (Tim) Schmidt; Lon (Pat) Loehning; nine grandchildren: Melissa, Jenna (Zay), Rachael (Dave), Andrea, Paul, Tony, Sara, Amberly, and Jessica; and nine great-grandchildren. She is further survived by sisters: Jean Seithamer, Helen Manser, and Molly Sue (John) Reuss; brother-in-law Richard Loehning; and several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, son Jay, sisters Carol Heckner and Shirley VanDyke, and great-granddaughter Anabelle.

Ruthann’s family would like to give a special thank you to Dr. Baltz and his nurses, as well as her daughter Wendy and son-in-law Mark for being her “angels” – taking close care of her in her last few months.

A celebration of life will take place on Saturday April 17, 2021 at the Wichmann Funeral Home Tri-County Chapel located at 1592 Oneida Street in Menasha, WI from 10:00am to 12:00pm.