Ruth R. Howell, age 85 of Wheaton, IL and formerly of Sugar Camp, died on Sunday, June 10, 2012. She was born on March 11, 1927, in Cincinnati, OH to Frank and Antoinette Betsch. Following graduation, Ruth was employed as a bookkeeper and while working at National Gas Cylinder, she met her future husband, Henry "Hank" Howell. They were married on January 9, 1954, in Cincinnati, OH. They resided in Baltimore, MD until moving to Wheaton, IL in 1955. In 1976, the couple moved to Sugar Camp, WI where they owned and operated Howell's Timberlane Resort on Long Lake. In 1993, they retired from the resort and resided in Sugar Camp proper next to St. Kunegunda Catholic Church. In 2005, Ruth returned to Wheaton, IL to be near her daughter, Barb and son, Tom. Ruth had been an active member of St. Kunegunda Catholic Church and attended St. John Catholic Church in Winfield, IL. Ruth cherished time spent with her family, especially with grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was an avid sports enthusiast and could always be found at various events in the bleachers with Hank. Ruth loved living on the lake in Sugar Camp, witnessing the change of colors each fall, and enjoying the beauty of daily sunsets. She will be fondly remembered as the ultimate mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who always placed the needs of her family first. Ruth is survived by her five children, Tom (Pam) Howell of St. Charles, IL, Barb (John) Veltri of Wheaton, IL, Tim (Karla) Howell of Sugar Camp, WI, Michelle Rauschenbach (John Novitzke) of Park Falls, WI, and Bob (Barb) Howell of Owatonna, MN; two step children, Gary (Jeannie) Howell of Johnston City, IL and Jim (Ellie) Howell of Willingboro, NJ; 22 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and three sisters, Mary Franke of Bishop, CA, Sister Angela Betsch of Oldenburg, IN, and Clete Zeinner of Cincinnati, OH. She was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband, Henry "Hank" Howell on August 15, 1999, two sisters, and three brothers. A funeral mass for Ruth will be offered at 4 p.m. on Friday, June 15, 2012, at St. Kunegunda Catholic Church in Sugar Camp with Father William Horath officiating. Visitation will be from 12 p.m. (noon) until 3 p.m. on Friday at the Carlson Funeral Home (715-369-1414 / www.carlsonfh.com) in Rhinelander. Interment will be in St. Kunegunda Catholic Cemetery.
|
