Ruth Mastalir

Ruth Mastalir Eulogy

For anybody here who does not know me, I am Henry Leibee, Ruth's nephew from California.

I want to recognize and thank Ruth's closest relatives who are here today, including Carol Klug and family, all the Mastalir nieces and nephews of which there are a bunch, as well as all of Ruth's friends and acquaintances.

Ruth was born in Kewaunee, Wisconsin in September 1918, just as WWI was winding down.

She worked her whole life as an executive secretary for the largest oil company in the world.

To me, Ruth led an exemplary life:

She was loyal to her parents, commuting for many years from Milwaukee up to Kewaunee every weekend to take care of her parents when she was younger.

She worked hard for her employer earning many awards from the Desk and Derrick Association. She was considered a top notch assistant to her District managers. She made two cross country transfers for the company.

Ruth was a steadfast Catholic and never missed Mass on Sunday.

Growing up during the Depression, she was an independent and conservative lady, who was a great saver. She never threw anything in the trash if she thought she may have a use for it-including plastic bottle caps. You never know!

She managed to live well on her own but below her means. This is remarkable to me as she made it in a male dominated industry in a male dominated time in our society.

Having never married, Ruth was completely satisfied with a solitary life. I once asked her if she ever got lonely. We all do. She quickly responded that no she never really was lonely, which I still find remarkable. Good for her!!

Ruth had a great sense of humor always coming up with funny clean jokes to pass on.

She was a generous person and was always praying for others.

To sum up then, Ruth lived a very quiet successful life. And she achieved one elusive goal that all of us aspire to—she outlived her life insurance annuity by a long shot.

May God bless Ruth Mastalir.