Ruth E. Herrmann
1930-2025
It is with heavy but full hearts that we announce the graceful passing of our precious Ruth Elizabeth Herrmann on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. If you knew her, you loved her, and you knew she loved you.
Born in Kenosha, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Virginia (Ricchio) Pellegrino. Ruth attended local schools and received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education with a minor in French from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 1952. Teaching was her passion, and she began her career in Wausau, Wisconsin, educating children of the junior high age. She returned to Kenosha to marry her husband, Bill, on July 24th, 1954, at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii Catholic Church. They would have been married for 70 beautiful years this past summer. Though he proceeded her in death in 2014, their love continued to shine through their family affinity and rich traditions.
Ruth continued her career by refocusing on helping those who wished to become American citizens, teaching English as a Second Language night classes through Kenosha Area Technical College. Later in her career, after raising her five children, Ruth became an instructor for the Adult Basic Education program at Gateway Technical College in Kenosha, where she mentored and equipped adult students with the knowledge of how to achieve their General Education Degree (GED). Throughout her career, Ruth was acknowledged for her gentle presence and excellence in teaching with numerous awards. In celebration of her retirement and in acknowledgement of her love for her students, Ruth was humbled with the creation of the Ruth Herrmann New Adult Learning Scholarship, designated in her honor.
Ruth was a proud member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church and the Holy Rosary Ladies’ Altar Society, as well as the Kenosha Catholic Women’s Club, and the Italian American Ladies’ Auxiliary, for which she was recently honored as a lifetime member.
She will be lovingly remembered for the beautiful memories she shared with her dear sisters, Mary Jane Lippert and Joyce Nicolazzi. She has greatly missed her son, Gregg, but remains forever in the hearts of her children: Ginny (Bill) Brydges, Sue (Rob) Debe; Kathy (Ken) Hagen, Ruthann (David) Alfredson, and Carolyn Herrmann. Left to embrace the precious traditions Ruth created are her grandchildren: Joseph (Jennifer) Brydges and their daughter, Kennedy; Natalle (Matthew) Dreifke and their sons, Tony and Andy; Alex (Molly) Hagen and their daughters, Hadley and Harper; Oliver (Adam Billingsley) Debe and their son, Noah; Jordan (Garrett) Gilbertson and their children, Gunner and Grace; Emily (Jon Slater) Herrmann and their daughter, Elena; Hannah (Cody) Cox and their sons, Otto and Alfie; Abbey Alfredson; Kate (Liam Flood) Herrmann; Max Alfredson, and Sophie Herrmann. Ruth was also fortunate to share her life with her beloved sister-in law and brother-in -law, Ann and George Mich, and many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and extended family and friends.
Ruth has felt a great absence and longing over the years for her husband, son, and parents; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Clemence and Rosalia Herrmann; her brothers-in-law, Richard Nicolazzi, Harold Lippert, Leonard Haugaard, August Ridolfi, Harold Herrmann and Gene Herrmann; her sisters-in-law, Rosemary Ridolfi and Betty Herrmann; and many cherished aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Ruth’s family wishes to acknowledge with sincere gratitude the extraordinary kind and compassionate care that was extended to their mom and to them by the devoted “earth angels” at Willowbrook Assisted Living; the personal warmth and professional guidance shown by the nurturing Hospice Alliance staff; the thoughtfulness of the Brookside Care Center administrative staff and caregivers; and the lovely bond shared with her home assistant and “innamorata”, Gina.
Ruth’s final wish to all of you is to remember to treat one another with generosity and dignity. She hopes that you will value education and embrace persons from all backgrounds with abundant love and warmth. Most of all, Ruth wants you to secure your traditions and share them often with one another, for the richness of a close family is the foundation of a content heart.
Service Date April 25, 2025
SERVICE LOCATION Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church
Ruth wished only for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 3:30 p.m. with special music beginning at 3:20 p.m. on Friday, April 25, 2025 at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii Catholic Church, 2224 45th St. Kenosha, WI.
The Mass may be viewed via livestream on the following link facebook.com/PiaseckiFuneralHome/live/. You do not need Facebook to watch.
Interment will take place alongside her beloved husband, Bill, on Monday, April 28, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. in Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 21731 Spring Street, Union Grove, Wisconsin.
Because the church will be beautifully adorned with Easter Lillies, Ruth’s favorite flower, the family invites you to contribute, if you wish, to: The Ruth Herrmann New Adult Learning Scholarship: Foundation Fund Number 506, through the Gateway Technical College Foundation, at 3520 30th Avenue, Kenosha, WI 53144, https://www.gtc.edu/about-gateway/foundation-and-alumni/donate-now, or Hospice Alliance 10220 Prairie Ridge Blvd, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158, https:///www.hospicealliance.org, or Every Child’s Place, Inc., 3220 30th Avenue Kenosha, WI 53144, https://everychildsplace.org.
