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- Ruth Louise Schroeder Freiburger of Appleton, aged eighty-nine, passed away August 10 at Anderson Hospice in Madison after a brief illness. She was born in the Town of Center on December 4, 1920, to William and Laura Schulze Schroeder. She was baptized in a German service, December 26, 1920, at Trinity Lutheran Church by the Rev. Emil Redlin. Her sponsors were her Grandpa Charles Schroeder, Grandma Louise Schulze and Aunt Alma Beyer. She and her parents were joined by her sisters Marie Emma, Arline Grace, a brother William C., sisters Muriel Marian and Ila Mae and finally by Robert Elmer. Her parents farmed in the Town of Center until 1947.
Ruth attended Hillsdale School, along with many of her cousins, about a half-mile from home, where she received a grade school education and helped to stoke the wood stove. Her education took only six years as she skipped second grade and passed the high school entry exam while in seventh grade. She graduated from Appleton High School and has attended many recent reunions. Ruth continued her education at Outagamie Rural Normal in Kaukauna for two years to become a licensed teacher, then took her first job at Cicero Graded School where she taught the first four grade levels. At a teachers meeting she met John Peter Freiburger of New London. They had their first date on Sunday, December 7, 1941. Both the Second World War and their relationship started that day, both lasting a long time and turning out well in the end. Ruth and John were married June 30, 1945, and honeymooned on Long Island at the home of John's brother George Freiburger. They returned to Wisconsin to live in Chilton where they spent the next thirty-three years, making hundred of friends. A son Steven was born September 27, 1946, and a daughter, Beth Ellen, June 4, 1950. Ruth edited the Chilton Times Journal, was stringer and photographer for several papers and then began teaching at New Holstein in 1955. She earned a B.A. at UW-Oshkosh and became the federal Title I and Title II grant administrator for the New Holstein School District.
She was instrumental in raising funds for a hospital for Chilton, ran the hospital gift shop for many years and helped organize the Chilton American Field Service chapter to bring international students to the schools. She organized a women's basketball league, played tennis, bowled and played golf for many decades. She loved to play bridge, a game she played competitively until a few weeks ago. John and Ruth moved to Florida in 1978 when they both retired. She continued her community work as president of LaSertoma, a library organizer and volunteer teacher at St. Anthony's School. Upon John's death, Ruth returned to Appleton where she has resided at the Touchmark retirement community for the last five years.
Ruth is survived by her children, Steven (Betsy) Freiburger of Fitchburg and Beth Schroeder (Brian Washburn) of Newton, Massachusetts, and granddaughter Therese of Park City, Utah. She is also survived by her sisters Arline Dabill of Neenah and Ila Mae Hanson of Greenville and her brother William Schroeder of Appleton.
She was preceded in death by her husband John, her parents and a brother Robert and sisters Muriel and Marie.
Ruth lived her life with a lively intelligence, with grace, hospitality and community service. She was blessed with a large extended family, which came to include cousins, nieces, nephews and their children, many of whom took the time to visit her in her retirement and gladden her days. We will miss her store of memories, card games and brandy old-fashioned sweets, but rejoice that she had so many days with us, if through tears.
Visitation will be Sunday, August 15 from 2 to 5 at Valley Funeral Home, 2211 North Richmond St., Appleton. Visitation will also be at St Mary's Church, 312 S. State Street, Appleton, from 10 to 11 with a service at 11 on Monday, August 16.
Memorials will be given to The Hickory Knoll Fund, a 501C3 charitable organization run by her family, to continue her work in education.
Valley Funeral Home
2211 N. Richmond St.
Appleton 920-733-5435
www.valleyfh.com
"Serving as would
be Served"
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1920 - 2010 (89 years)
