Ruth Ellen Brown

Ruth Ellen (Austin) Brown ascended to God’s Heaven on the evening of November 15, 2023. She was born to parents Clarence and Gertrude (Hathorn) Austin on August 20, 1947 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Janesville. She was a graduate of St. John Vianney and Janesville High School class of 1965. Ruth married Chester Brown (son of Merritt & Regena) on July 16, 1966 at Nativity of Mary Church in Janesville.

Ruth had a career as an accountant assistant after attending Waukesha County Technical College. She assisted Chet in building a large real estate portfolio. Ruth spent thousands of hours volunteering in her communities. She was President of Janesville Area Rental Property Association, President of the Southside Business Association (Janesville) and active in the Wisconsin Apartment Association (now WREI) including spending 3 years as Conference Co-Chair.

Ruth was the architect of the computer lab at St. Paul’s Catholic School in Genesee in 1994. Initiating and overseeing the groundbreaking creation of the curriculum and design of the lab as well as teaching for 4 years. She served as Co-Chair and organizer of St. Paul’s Funfest from 1990-2003. Ruth spent many Sundays assisting in the worship services. She served 40 years as an usher and 15 years as a eucharistic minister. She was a fixture of St. Paul’s Parish for 45 years. Ruth also spent 2 terms on the School Board as well as Troop Leader for her daughter Christina’s troop. Ruth had several beloved animals in her life as well as fostering many dogs.

While she was active in the community her pillar of life was the family she built with Chet. Daughter Christina was born early in the marriage and was joined by two “miracle” babies, Chris and Corina, 10 and 14 years later respectively. Ruth always put her children first no matter how old or young they were. As her children married, their spouses would become her “children” equally the same. She also thoroughly enjoyed her time as a military spouse during Chet’s 20 years of military service, rising to the rank of Major.

In 1993, Ruth began the battle of her life when she was diagnosed with Metastatic Stage IV Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Determined to survive she underwent chemo, radiation and a groundbreaking treatment of autologous bone marrow transplant. Her status as a cancer survivor was never something she flaunted but would later inspire hope when her daughter Corina battled Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

An avid traveler Ruth enjoyed exploring the US and the Caribbean. She had a growing appreciation for cross country train trips in her later years. They returned to their honeymoon spot Half Moon Resort in Jamaica for their 50th anniversary. Her first granddaughter Hailey gave her the honorary title “Ruthie” which she continued to use with all her granddaughters. Ruthie & Hailey shared a love of pink, warm weather & not being afraid to color outside the lines. Ruth had three more grandchildren (Chris): Brianna, Brecken and Bryn. Bryn being christened with a middle name in honor of Ruth. Ruth always appreciated Brianna’s caring heart, Brecken’s sense of adventure, and Bryn’s ability to make Ruth feel special.

Ruth made her family laugh everyday. Her quick wit and famous jokes brightened everyone’s lives. Her favorite sparring partner was her son Chris, who inherited her sense of humor and love of jokes. Their humor was welcome in every event whether fun, serious, or sad. This humor was ever present in Ruth even when dementia claimed other aspects of her. A forever kid at heart, she enjoyed pranks and antics with  her sisters-in-law Sandi and Colleen as well as night clubbing with Christina. Ruth believed in treating everyone with kindness. Her ability to make anyone feel welcome and appreciated was enjoyed by all who met her.

Ruth is survived by her devoted husband Chet of over 55 years. She lives on in her children: Christina (Paul) Jester of Genesee, Christopher (Bridget) Brown of Oconomowoc, Corina (Jake) Eufinger of Watertown. She will be thoroughly missed by her grandchildren who will cherish her memory: Hailey Jester of AZ, Brianna, Brecken and Bryn. Her brother David Austin (Sandi) of Ames, IA also survives.

Ruth never wanted her passing to be met with doom and gloom. Her services will be as unique as her, with guests encouraged to wear bright colors (pink was Ruth’s favorite) and don dress hats and fascinators. Please join us to celebrate her amazing life in her own signature way. Visitation at Krause Funeral Home in Brookfield (Friday, December 15, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Candlelight Vigil at 7:00 PM). Visitation at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Genesee (Saturday, December 16, 9:00 AM) with funeral mass to follow (10:00 AM).

The family would like to thank the staff and nurses of Heritage Court of Menomonee Falls and Brighton Hospice for their care and assistance to Ruth during her quick progression through her Microvascular Dementia. The staff treated Ruth wonderfully and were a true blessing for Ruth. Their caring attentiveness towards the family during Ruth’s last two weeks is greatly appreciated. They would also like to thank Dr. Eric Boehmer (formerly of Froedtert) and Golden Ray Energy Center of Waukesha for their assistance in the middle stages of Mom’s diagnosis to attempt to treat and stall the disease through groundbreaking alternative treatments.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that Ruth’s beloved penguins be sponsored through the Zoological Society of Milwaukee’s “Sponsor an Animal Program”
(my.zoosociety.org/animal-sponsorships).

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