Obit: Burch, Ruth G. (1927 - 2018)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Burch, Bye, Overhagen, Tippetts, Urness

----Source: WJBL-WLDY Radio Obituaries (Ladysmith, WI) 7/03/2018

Burch, Ruth Grace (Overhagen) (21 JUL 1927 - 28 JUN 2018)

Ruth G. Burch, 90, of Ladysmith passed away on Thursday, June 28, 2018, at Grace Lutheran Communities in Altoona.

She is survived by 3 sons, Scott of Eau Claire, Bob of Tomah and Jeff of Garretson, SD., 1 daughter, Christine Tippetts of La Crosse, 20 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, 1 sister, Jean Bye, numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services for Ruth Burch will be held at 11 AM on Friday, July 6 at the Sheldon Church of Christ. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Sheldon. Ruth’s family will receive friends from 5 till 8:30 PM on Thursday, July 5th at the Ladysmith Care Community Cameo Room and then again on Friday for an hour prior to service time at the church in Sheldon.

Nash-Jackan Funeral Home is assisting with the arrangements.

----Source: The Ladysmith News (Ladysmith, WI) 7/01/2018

Ruth Grace (Overhagen) Burch, 90, of Ladysmith, passed away on Thursday, June 28, 2018, at Grace Lutheran Communities in Altoona. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.

Ruth was born on July 21, 1927, to Tilmar and Mary Alice (Urness) Overhagen. She was born in a humble, black tar paper house at her parent’s farm in Glen Flora. She attended the country school, Poplar Grove, and graduated from Glen Flora High School in 1944. She received her teaching degree from Rusk County Normal School in 1946 and her Bachelor’s in Education Degree from Mount Senario College, where she graduated in 1974.

Ruth was married to Henry James “Jim” Burch on Dec. 27, 1952. They were married for 60 years and were blessed with five children, 21 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. They made their home on a dairy farm near Sheldon. Along with working on the farm, Ruth taught school in the Ladysmith and Flambeau School Districts, teaching for a total of thirty-one years. She retired from teaching in 1993. Her later years were spent at the Ladysmith Care Community, where she was a volunteer pianist and read to residents who were no longer able to read on their own. She thoroughly enjoyed Monday night “choir” and spent many hours playing card games with her dear friends, often indulging in ice cream afterwards. Ruth thoroughly enjoyed music, reading, taking walks, gardening, and feeding her birds. She especially enjoyed time spent with family and friends. She loved talking with people and kept in touch with many friends through her letter writing. Ruth was known for her quiet and gentle spirit, and her steadfast love for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Tilmar and Mary Alice; her infant brother, Reuben; her brother-in-law, John Bye; her husband, Jim; her daughter, Mary Jo (Burch) Kurka; her son-in-law, Gary Kurka; and her grandson, James Kurka.

Ruth is survived by her sister Jean (Overhagen) Bye; son Scott (Pauline) Burch of Eau Claire; daughter Christine (Brian) Tippetts of La Crosse; son Bob (Dutch) Burch of Tomah; son Jeff (Brenda) Burch of Garretson, S.D.; 20 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation will take place at the Ladysmith Care Community in the Cameo Room on Thursday, July 5, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. The funeral service will be held at the Sheldon Church of Christ at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 6 with visitation at 10 a.m.

Nash-Jackan Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.