Fourth Generation

19. Ruby Etta STELLINGS was born on 29 September 1913 in Kirby, Lincoln Township, Monroe County, WI.^29,44 She appeared in the census in 1930 in Lincoln Township, Monroe County, WI.⁸ She graduated in 1931 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^44,45 from Tomah High School. Ruby died on 13 February 2009 at the age of 95 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁴²

Obituary Notes: "Ruby E. Heeler, 95, of Tomah, WI, passed away Friday, Feb. 13, 2009, at the Tomah Health Care Center in Tomah, WI. Ruby was born Sept. 29, 1913, to William and Martha (Kohl) Stellings outside of Tomah, WI.

Ruby was united in holy matrimony to Martin Heeler on June 6, 1937, in the Town of Lincoln on the Stellings family farm.

Ruby graduated from Tomah High School in 1931. She then went to Normal, a teacher college. In her younger years she taught at several rural schools around Tomah, where she made lasting impressions on many young lives. Early in their marriage Ruby and Martin purchased the family farm where they farmed and raised their family.

Ruby was very involved in her church, community and her family. She was a 4-H leader, a voting poll worker for Lincoln Township, and assumed leadership duties in both St. Matthew’s Ladies Aid and the Kirby Homemakers. She was always ready to help out when there was a need. She and Martin loved entertaining family and friends. They also enjoyed camping and much to the grandchildren’s delight they often took them with. After the great-grandchildren came along, they looked forward to a game of Skipbo and having rootbeer floats together.

Ruby is survived by two daughters: Barbara (Gilbert) Goetzka of Tomah and Joanne (Larry) Rezin of Tomah; six grandchildren, Randy (Linda Lee) Murdock and children Brooke, Elizabeth, Brieanna and Kayla; Linda (Kevin) Pierce and their children Cole and Kelli; Mark (Donna) Rezin and their children Mitchell, Leah and Jacob; Cheri (Bart) Horstman and their children Mikayla, Morgan and Brayden; Cindy (Larry) Stetzer and their children Samantha and Alexander; and Ryan (Layna) Murdock and their children Lindsay and Kendall; one sister-in-law, Alice (Marvin) Bartels of Tomah, along with many other relatives and friends.

Ruby was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Martin, in 2001; one son-in-law, Keith Murdock; a brother, Raymond (Gladys) Stellings; three sisters-in-law, Norma (Edwin) Zellmer, Lorna Eagleson and Helen (George) Peckham; and a foster son, Donald Lovaas.

Ruby was a truly loving and loved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Her gentle gracious manner and very special smile will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Funeral services were Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 11 a.m. at Kirby St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church, U.S. Hwy. 12 North of Tomah. Burial followed in the Warren Mills Cemetery. Pastor Phillip Enderle officiated. Family and friends called Monday, Feb. 16, from 4:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Visitation was also held on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church. The Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com <http://www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com>."

Ruby Etta STELLINGS and Martin August William HEELER were married on 6 June 1937 in Lincoln Township, Monroe County, WI.^26,42,44,46 Martin August William HEELER, son of August John HEELER and Sophia Marie KASTENS, was born on 23 June 1913 in Lincoln Township, Monroe County, WI.^29,44,47 He appeared in the census in 1930 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁸ He graduated in 1931 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^44,45 from Tomah High School. Martin died in 2001 at the age of 88.⁴⁸

Ruby Etta STELLINGS and Martin August William HEELER had the following children: