Ruth Esther Stryzewski

Ruth Esther Stryzewski, age 112, of Oshkosh passed away on November 29,2024 at Park View Health Center in Oshkosh. At that time she was the oldest known person in Wisconsin.

Ruth was born February 20,1912 in East Bloomfield, WI, the daughter of the late Louis and Marie (Prellwitz) Winter. The Winter family included nine children and adopted brother and sister and an uncle who lived with them. Ruth had fond memories of her childhood on the farm and loved to show visitors a photo of their family and their large brick house that her grandfather had built with bricks constructed from onsite clay. She remembered making trips with her father or brothers as a child on the “Paul L. Sternwheel Excursion Boat” from Tustin to Oshkosh. The family were members of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in East Bloomfield and were brought up in a strong Lutheran faith, with two of Ruth’s brothers becoming Lutheran ministers.

After growing up on the Winter farm near Tustin, she moved to Oshkosh as a young lady and enjoyed the “big city” life. One evening she went with several girlfriends to a dance at the Eagles Club (now Howard) and was asked to dance by a tall handsome man. She said that she didn’t know how to dance, and he replied, “That’s OK, I will teach you.” He introduced himself as Elmer Stryzewski and after a long friendship, they were married on June1,1937 in East Bloomfield, Wisconsin. Ruth’s brother, Reverend Albert Winter, performed the ceremony. They built their home just north of Oshkosh on what was called Yahootie Creek on the edge of Lake Winnebago. Ruth and Elmer were married for 65 years until his death in 2003.

Ruth was proud to have been one of the first employees of the Miles Kimball Company. She worked in the office along with Mr. and Mrs. Kimball and was given the honor of being assigned to the first electric typewriter owned by the business. She remained with the company in customer service for 23 years until her retirement.

Ruth and Elmer became lifelong members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Oshkosh where Ruth faithfully served as the church organist for many years and they both helped support the education of young members of the church. Preceding her in death were her parents and her husband, four brothers, Rev. Louis (Francis) Winter, William (Rose) Winter, Rev. Albert (Mildred) Winter, and Alvin (Hilma) Winter; and four sisters: Marie (Gustave) Misterek, Emma (Edward) Ultang, Elsie (Arthur) Bahr and Lily (John) Peters.

A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home, 100 Lake Pointe Drive, Oshkosh, WI 54903, with Reverand Paul Lidtke officiating. Visitation will be held from 10 until the time of service. The burial will be held in Lake View Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established.