Ruth J. Clark

Ruth (Ruthie) Jane Clark, age 94, entered the arms of her Lord peacefully on November 1, 2023, with her husband, John Myron Clark, holding her hand, while listening to her favorite Christian music and with other beloved family by her side.

Ruthie was born in Oshkosh to Fred and Anna Gruetzmacher, the second of three children. She graduated from Oshkosh High school in 1947 and worked for Hewlett-Packard and Kimberly-Clark, before taking over the bookkeeping for her husband’s business, John M. Clark and Son Construction. She was a faithful member of Peace Lutheran Church, and later First English Lutheran Church.

Ruthie was devoted to her family and having them over for holiday gatherings. She loved gardening and fishing, as well as spending time in her yard and up at the cottage. Determined and headstrong as she was, Ruthie stayed active walking, cutting the grass, and shoveling the snow into her nineties. She saw the beauty in the simplest things in life, such as a soaking in the sunshine or gazing at a single colorful flower.

Ruthie was always thinking about other people. If you received a greeting card from her, you could expect a novel written on the inside letting you know how special you are and how much you are loved, along with a page torn out of a devotional with her favorite passages highlighted. One of her favorite inserts frequently included the phrase, “I know I’m somebody, ‘cause God don’t make no junk!!”

While Ruthie’s favorite moments were always with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren at a cookout or family gathering, her second favorite moment occurred in 2021 when she and her husband took their first-ever airplane ride at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in a Ford Tri-Motor that was built in 1929, the same year she was born.

Ruthie will be missed dearly by her husband of 72 years, John Clark; daughter Renee (Terence) Reinke and son Robert (Marcy) Clark; grandchildren Jamie Clark (Jamie Helf), April (David) Rodriguez, Heidi Reinke (Brian Ledwell), Bryan Reinke (Kimberly Schaele); great grandchildren Griffin Reinke, Alexis Reinke, Isabella Messenger, Isabella Rodriguez, Sophia Rodriguez, and Piper Reinke. She is also survived by her sister Janet (Clyde) Friedman, as well as several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents Fred and Anna (Gomoll) Gruetzmacher; daughters Debra, Roxeanne, Heidi, and Rachel Clark; brother Robert Gruetzmacher; and beloved grandson, Adam Clark.

The family would like to thank the staff in the Aurora Healthcare ICU, especially MK, for your kindness and care in Ruthie’s last days. Special thanks also to Emily Humy, Ruthie’s home health aid, for the care you took of her during the past year. Your compassion meant the world to Ruthie and her family.

A private service for family will take place at Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home on Sunday.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be sent to Women Who Care-Greater Oshkosh at https://oacf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1586.