Ruth was born on November 13, 1925 in Stetsonville to the late John and Mary (Rudolph) Docter. She went to Stetsonville elementary schools and was a 1942 graduate of Medford High School. Her marriage to Robert F. Armbrust took place on May 30, 1945 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Stetsonville. He preceded her in death August 2, 2014.
Prior to her marriage, Ruth worked at Farmers State Bank in Stetsonville. After her marriage and the return of her husband from WWII, she devoted herself to being a wife and mother. While her children were young, she helped with the family business, Armbrust Meats, by doing the bookkeeping. In later years, she spent many hours working beside Bob at “the shop”. She enjoyed camping, boating on Lake Superior, fishing, reading, doing crossword puzzles, sewing, curling, golfing, bowling, swimming, watching any Wisconsin sports team, traveling, spending winter months in Arizona, playing cards, and being a ‘Reading Grandma’. Ruth always treated others with kindness and had a delightful sense of humor. Her family was her pride and joy. She was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church of Medford and the Ladies of Holy Rosary.
She is survived by her children – Mike (Sally) Armbrust of Madison, Tom (Mary) Armbrust, Jeff (Michele) Armbrust & Susan (Rick) Knopp, all of Medford, JoAnne (Don) Faust of Black Earth and Becky (Doug) Leclair of La Crosse; 18 grandchildren; and 20 great grandchildren—21st on the way.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter, Mary Agnes Armbrust in infancy, a grand- daughter, Kristina Knopp, and her siblings, Mary Ann Schiller, Art Docter, Mildred McNamar, and Mabel Newton.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be given to the family for a future designation. Hemer Funeral Service of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. For online condolences, please visit hemerfuneralservice.com.
