Ruth “Ruthie” Nickel

Ruth Nickel, 85, of Waupun, died on Sunday, September 18, 2016, at The Christian Home and Rehab Center in Waupun, surrounded by her loving family.

Ruthie was born November 16, 1930, in the Town of Chester, the youngest daughter of Ralph and Johanna (Vander Bosch) Harmsen. Ruthie graduated from Waupun High School in 1948. On May 24, 1952, she married James Nickel at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Waupun. She was a member of the Daughters of Isabella and the Altar Society at St Joseph’s.

Ruthie and Jim lived their entire married life in Waupun. After retiring, they spent summers at their cottage on Sandy Lake, and winters in Apache Junction, AZ. Ruthie and Jim enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, as well as to Canada, Mexico, Hawaii, and the British Isles. Ruthie will be remembered as a loving mother and grandmother and a very caring person who always put everyone else first.

Ruthie loved following the academic achievements and sports careers of her children and grandchildren, and enjoyed watching and listening to the Packers and Brewers, learning new skills on her computers, reading mysteries, and listening to books on tape.

Ruthie is survived by her husband of 64 years, Jim, and their five children: Mary Jo (Mike) Schweiger of St. Augustine FL, Tom (Linda) Nickel of Waupun, Pat (Jan) Nickel of Waupun, Mitzi Nickel (Lloyd Marks) of Cumberland VA, and Marne (Bob) Heinrich of Appleton; her five grandchildren: Amanda (Chris) Derks of Omro, Dr. Brian (Tiffany) Nickel of Durham NC, Jess (SarahAnn) Nickel of West Allis, Cory (fiancé Monique Jamrose) Nickel of Two Rivers, and Brant Nickel of Fond du Lac.  She is also survived by her two sisters Margaret Meenk and Katherine Prange both of Waupun, one aunt Minnie Frens also of Waupun, and many wonderful nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a younger brother Lester, and two brothers-in-law Elton Meenk and John Prange, Jr.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Ruthie Nickel will be held Thursday, September 22, 2016, at 11:00 a.m., at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Waupun with Rev. Fr. John Radetski officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Waupun. Friends and relatives of Ruthie may call on the family on  Wednesday, September 21, 2016, from 4 -7 p.m., at Werner-Harmsen Funeral Home in Waupun and at the church from 10:00 a.m., until the time of service. Refreshments will be served at the funeral home following graveside services.

Memorials may be made in Ruthie’s name to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation – macular.org/how-donate. The family wishes to thank Dr. Michael Jones, Hospice Hope of Fond du Lac, and the staff of The Christian Home for their compassionate and loving care of our wife, mother, and grandmother.

Werner-Harmsen Funeral Home of Waupun and staff are serving the family. Please visit our website at www.wernerharmsenfuneralhome.com for further information and to send condolences.