Ruth M. Militzer

On September 2, 2023 Ruth Marion Militzer went home to be with our Lord and now is at peace.

Ruth was born on July 1, 1934 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She was the second child of Herbert and Katherine (Kaluzok) Militzer. Ruth was baptized on September 30, 1934 and confirmed at Mount Olive Lutheran Church on March 21, 1948. She remained a steadfast Lutheran throughout her life. After high school she continued her education at Bryant and Stratton Business College where she completed the speedwriting course. She later completed classes in English, German (her parents’ native language) and drama at Marquette University.

Ruth worked in several clerical positions, including at Miller Brewing Company, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Milwaukee Children’s Hospital, before beginning her career in the President’s Office at Marquette University. While there, she worked on nearly any task to help the President’s Office run smoothly. She met many dignitaries, including Mother Teresa. After nearly thirty years there, she retired from her position in June 1996. Not long after her retirement began, she found a new way to serve others as a volunteer. Ruth then began helping at St. Joseph’s Hospital. She soon found her niche in the night shift at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. She loved holding new-born babies, (which she always lovingly called her peanuts) trying to calm their crying and rocking them to sleep. Even after she began to have health difficulties which prevented her from driving, she always planned on going back to help in the NICU.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her older sister, Lillian, and brother-in-law, Gene Fairman. She is survived by her twin nieces Jeaneen Ruth Brown (husband Loni deceased) Kathleen Anita and Don Spritzer, all of Montana; and by her grand nieces and nephews Cheryl Brown Coles, Mark Spritzer, Greg Spritzer, Lori Brown Zahler, and Ricky Brown. Other survivors include wonderful friends—Kim, Bob, Robin, Roberta and many others.

We wish to especially thank the Courtyard Memory Care and Hospice nurses and staff for their loving care.

Aunt Ruth, we miss your smile, wonderful sense of humor and caring heart.

“Ich liebe dich.”

The funeral service will be on Monday, September 11, 2023 at 2:00 PM at the San Camillo Chapel, 10200 West Bluemound Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Visitation will be at 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM at the chapel, and interment at Wisconsin Memorial Park will immediately follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the St. Joseph Hospital NICU Foundation.