Ruth Schoenfeld

Ruth Schoenfeld
RUTH SCHOENFELD, age 86 of Waseca died on Monday, March 28, 2016 at her home in rural Waseca.
Born on a very cold and blustery December 3, 1929, she was the daughter of Fritz and Hattie (Gahler) Guse, the first of 12 children.  The doctor arrived by horse-drawn sled after her birth.  Ruth lived in Iosco Township and attended school in District 14. In inclement weather she stayed at A. J. Ewerts home so she could attend school.  She also attended District 62 West in Alton Township and 7th and 8th grade at Trinity Lutheran in Janesville.  She graduated from Janesville High School in 1947 where she participated in the swing and concert bands.
On November 22, 1948, Ruth was joined in wedlock with Lloyd W. Schoenfeld at Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville.  They moved to St. Marys Township where they farmed and raised their five children.  Ruth worked at the Ben Franklin Store in Waseca for 24 ½ years and then worked at Wal-Mart for 22 years, retiring at the age of 79.   While working at Ben Franklin and Wal-Mart, Ruth was asked to assist many crafters with their projects.
Over the years, Ruth sewed 300+ quilt tops for missions along with making quilts for many generations of family members and friends.  The farthest one quilt traveled was to Kuwait City with her granddaughter, Sarah, where she taught school.   She also made bibs, pillows and lap quilts for the VA and sent sensory blankets and diapers to Haiti and Guatemala.   Ruths other hobbies were gardening, old time dancing, reading, bird watching, traveling, playing cards, and baking Joes favorite cinnamon rolls. 
She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville and former member of Trinity Lutheran Church-Wilton.  Ruth taught Sunday School and was a member of the LWML where she served as president and zone counselor.  She was a Homemakers Extension member and held offices for Waseca County through the U of MN.  Ruth was also a member of the Waseca American Legion Auxiliary.
She is survived by five children, Diana (James) Osterfeld of Perham, Donna (Bruce) Kitzinger of Algona, IA, Dean (Leann) Schoenfeld of Waseca, Linda (Dale) Hoechst of Mankato, and Betty (Joe) Millen of Maple Grove; 13 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; and one great great granddaughter.  She is also survived by siblings, Herbert (Mavis) Guse, Clarence (Bev) Guse, Vera Stolt, Paul Guse, Carl Guse, Marvin (Kathy) Guse, Lila (Dick) Karrer, Ruby (David) Isebrand, and Grace (Larry) Vitort; sister-in-law, Paulette Guse; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; grandson, Michael Millen; brother, Lyle Guse; sister, Nora Gille.
Visitation will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville on Thursday, March 31, 2016  from 4-8 PM and continue on Friday, one hour before services at the church. Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 1, 2016 at 2:00 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville.  Burial will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca.