Ruth Ann Gamerdinger, age 90, of Tomah, WI, entered into eternal rest on her 90th birthday, on Saturday, June 7, 2025. She was born on June 7, 1935, in Tomah, WI to Ralph Hilger and Chloris (Hero) Henshaw. Ralph later married Larue Hilger. She graduated from Tomah High School and regularly attended St, Mary’s church (now Queen of the Apostles) with her family. At the age of 16, she met John Gamerdinger at her father’s business, the Rainbow Drive Inn in Tomah where they both worked until finishing high school. She married John Gamerdinger at St Mary’s on Nov. 26, 1955.
They moved to Milwaukee where Ruth earned a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Marquette University in 1958. In 1963, they moved to Hartford. Her career as a registered Physical Therapist spanned many successful years in Hartford, WI, and the northern suburbs of Milwaukee. She had great compassion for the elderly, and it inspired her to do a lot of private patients, at home care, the last several years of her career.
In 1995, Ruth and John purchased a farm in Elroy, WI where she enjoyed many beautiful sunrises, sun sets, and beautiful natural wildlife. All this brought her much joy and peace.
In 2012, they settled in a home on Lake Tomah.
Ruth’s artistic talents flourished in her retirement as she became a talented artist known for her exceptional natural wildlife paintings, much loved pet portraits, and classic automobile artwork. Her artistry extended to her community service, restoring and painting the baptismal font and religious statues for Queen of the Apostles Parish in Tomah, statues at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Warrens, and statues for several other local churches. Her passion for restoration was not only evident in her artwork but also in her love for fixing up vintage homes in the Hartford area and Tomah, collecting antiques, and restoring classic cars.
Along side her husband, Ruth enjoyed traveling to destinations such as Rome, Venice, Hawaii, and Alaska. Ruth spent a year each in North Carolina and Mississippi while John was working as a consultant. She loved the beautiful weather, southern hospitality, and the history. In 2007, Ruth and her daughter Beth, traveled to Grand Caman Island where she snorkeled in the ocean for the first time, held an extraordinary sea turtle in her hands, and ate the best lobster ever. For many years Ruth and her family enjoyed camping at Fort McCoy. So much fun fishing, swimming, and making smores.
Ruth was the beloved wife of John Gamerdinger, with whom she shared a lifetime of love and adventure. Together, they raised a family of four remarkable children: Mark Gamerdinger (Bonnie Schmidt), Beth Kuehl and her husband Rick Kellow, Matthew Gamerdinger and his wife Linda, and Blythe Janichek and her husband Paul. Ruth’s role as a grandmother was one, she cherished deeply, imparting wisdom and joy to her fourteen grandchildren. Katie Hunt and her husband Nicholas, Benjamin Gamerdinger, Johnathan Kuehl and his wife Jacqueline Valenti, Jeremy Kuehl (Lauren Salcedo), Jacob Kuehl and his wife Brianna, Justin Kuehl and his fiancee Amy Johnson, Rickey Kellow, Gracie Kellow, Krista Gamerdinger, Ricky Leach and his wife Candance , Curtis Gamerdinger, and his wife Xaarki, Aaron Janichek and his wife Samantha, Amber Skiles and her husband Tony, and Anna Janichek. She was also blessed with eleven great-grandchildren who brought her immense happiness.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Ralph Hilger and Chloris Henshaw, stepmother, Larue Hilger; infant brother Roger Hilger, brother, Roland Hilger; and her faithful canine companion of 16 years, a Cairn Terrier named Chloe.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, June 19, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) at Queen of the Apostles Parish in Tomah. Father Ethan Hokamp will officiate. Burial will immediately follow in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Tomah. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Thursday from 10 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah.
The Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to Queen of the Apostles Parish in Tomah.
Torkelson Funeral Home
