Ruth (nee: Muelder) Stank, age 98 of Kenosha, died on Friday, January 26, 2018 at Brookside Care Center.

Born in San Jose, IL on July 28, 1919, she was a daughter of the late Reverend Dr. Edward and Minnie (Horlitz) Muelder. The Muelder family lived for a number of years in Kenosha while Reverend Muelder was a minister at Immanuel United Methodist Church.

On August 30, 1952 in Racine, she was united in marriage to Dr. Lester L. Stank. He preceded her in death on December 2, 1980.

Ruth received her R.N. degree from Bethesda Hospital in Cincinnati, OH and was later employed there as a surgical nurse. She was subsequently on the nursing staffs in the Department of Surgery at Columbia Hospital in Milwaukee and at St. Mary’s Hospital in Racine. In 1948, she joined the faculty of Marquette University as an instructor in surgical techniques. For a period of time she was head nurse at Kenosha Memorial Hospital.

She was an active member of Immanuel United Methodist Church, where she was a member of their Administrative Board. She served as lay leader and was president of United Methodist Women for several years.

Ruth’s interests and hobbies included reading, gardening, travelling, and needlework. For many years she enjoyed hosting the Horlitz-Muelder family reunions. Ruth leaves behind a circle of admiring and loving family and friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, Dr. Lester Stank; she was preceded in death by her four brothers, Hermann R., Walter G., Milton E. and Oliver W. Muelder; and her two sisters, Edna M. Davis, and Florence M. Smith.

Service Info

A private burial at Green Ridge Cemetery and a memorial service will be held at a later date.