Ruth Erck

Ruth Marie (Nelson) Erck, aged 92, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 8, 2018. Her daughters were with her. Ruth was born in Milwaukee on February 8, 1926, to Aaron and Rose (Fleischer) Nelson. She graduated from Rufus King High School, where she met Richard Erck. They double-dated in high school (each with another date, as she considered him to be a bit wild). After graduation, in 1944, Richard enlisted in the Navy and served in the Pacific until the end of the war. During his deployment, they corresponded, and their relationship grew after his return. They were married on August 10, 1947. Early in their marriage, Ruth worked at a variety of jobs while Richard completed college. She was a stenographer, a secretary, and a photographer's fashion model (she refused to remove her wedding ring, so there are a number of fashion shots with her left hand in her pocket or behind her back). By her own admission, she was a neophyte in the kitchen at the time of her marriage. When Richard said he liked green onions, she bought some, threw away the ugly white roots and proudly served him the crisp green parts ("why do they call them 'green' onions, then?"), and once complained to the grocer that he had sold her a green pepper that was hollow on the inside. She learned fast and became a truly wonderful cook, baker and hostess. Her lamb gravy was incredible, and she somehow always had enough for a delicious shepherd's pie after the leg of lamb dinner. Every fall she tackled a big bushel basket of Concord grapes, which had to be peeled, cooked and strained to make her signature grape pies, some of which were frozen for the future, but many of which were gifted to family and friends. After the birth of her elder daughter, she happily became a stay-at-home Mom and housewife, and perfected the role. Hot cocoa and home-made cookies awaited her girls and their friends after school in the winter, and picnic lunches in the summer. She bought an old Singer treadle sewing machine at a garage sale and made beautiful clothes for her daughters and nieces, including special dresses at Christmas. She knit herself a coat and dresses and sweaters for her daughters. She painted a "wallpaper" pattern on the bathroom walls and a big rooster mural in the laundry room. She didn't neglect her own interests: took art lessons, played bridge, learned to make hats, worked as a reporter for the local paper, and wrote humorous columns for local and regional newspapers. With Richard, she served in the Coast Guard Auxiliary. In later years, she performed comedy skits for various social clubs (her Julia Wild cooking lesson was a particular favorite). After her daughters were grown, she went back to work, first as a librarian at her local library, and later as an Executive Assistant to one of the senior researchers at Arner-Stone Laboratories. Before long, she had moved into an operations position and had her own assistant. Ruth was a person of deep faith and was always active in her church and in her community. After retiring to Arkansas, she and Richard and their friends Kathleen and Sug Wilson successfully established a new (and thriving) Cumberland Presbyterian congregation. In her seventies, she volunteered with the Garland County Literacy Council, tutoring kids in reading and math. She had a beautiful singing voice and sang in church choirs all her life. She also sang while cooking, ironing, cleaning, etc., and always sang with joy - even the truly annoying little jingle she sang to wake her daughters for school in the morning. She had a deep and wicked sense of humor. Ruth and Richard were married for 69 years when Richard passed away in December 2016. They were best friends and shared a love of family, friends, good food, good books, fishing and river boat travel. They could always make each other laugh. Dementia is a cruel disease. During the last four years of her life, it gradually eroded Ruth's memory and cognition. It took away her lovely voice and, perhaps most cruelly, her ability to communicate. She held on to her radiant smile and her sense of humor. The family is grateful to the staff at Ecumen Lakeview Commons and Ecumen Hospice for caring for her, and for making her laugh. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her sister and great friend, Beverly Nietzke; her brother-in-law, Byron Erck, and her great-nephew, Kody Nelson. She is survived by her daughters, Kathy (Larry) Panciera and Susan Kreulen; her grandsons, Alex and Nick (Tasha Suchy) Panciera; nieces Kaaron (Rogers) Keene and Ruth Nelson; nephews Kurt (Phyllis Peri) and Kevin Nelson; great niece, Kori Keene and great nephews Forrest and Brock (Nichole) Nelson and Brock and Nichole's children. Burial will be on Friday, November 16, at Wisconsin Memorial Park (Milwaukee), following a memorial gathering of family and friends. Ruth left a legacy of family, friends, recipes, love and laughter. She was a glorious and accomplished woman. We miss her.