Ruth Hansel

Tuesday, June 23, 2015 2:36 pm

Ruth Hansel, 84, of Fort Atkinson, died Tuesday, June 16, 2015, at the Good Samaritan Center in West Union. Mass of Christian Burial was at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 19, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson, with Rev. Nick March officiating. Organist was Jeanette Dietzenbach. Cantor was Sherri Achen.  The St. John’s Choir sang. Hymns were “Be Not Afraid,” “Prayer of St. Francis,” “Just a Closer Walk with Thee,” “Goin Home” and “How Great Thou Art.” Mass servers were Dick Nienhaus, Edwin Langreck. Lector was Carmalita Rosenbaum. Offertory gift bearers were Dorothy Smith and Gilbert Rosenbaum. Eucharistic ministers were Carmelita Rosenbaum, Leon Kipp and John Bakula. Casket bearers were Bob Smith, Debbie Priest, Rick Rosenbaum, Bob Rausch, Don Baker and Chuck Eaton. Interment was at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Fort Atkinson. Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Chekal Chapel, Fort Atkinson.

Ruth Rose Rosenbaum was born April 18, 1931, the daughter of Louis Felix and Mathilda Anna (Huber) Rosenbaum near Festina. Ruth attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in both Festina and Waucoma, graduating in 1949. She moved to Cedar Rapids and worked at Osco Drug as well as the Iowa Electric Company, living there for 40 years. Ruth was united in marriage to Don Hansel Aug. 4, 1962, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville.  In 1997, Don and Ruth moved to Fort Atkinson. Ruth loved horses, animals, butterflies and birds, doing crafts and walking all around Fort Atkinson. Her favorite pet was her sister Evelyn’s dog, Brownie. She was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson.

Ruth is survived by her two sisters, Rita Shindelar, Good Samaritan Nursing Center, West Union and Dorothy Smith, Cresco; one brother, Gilbert (Carmalita) Rosenbaum, New Hampton; nieces and nephews:  Darlene Poshusta, Steve Shindelar, William “Bill” Holtey, Jean Zweibohmer, Bud Holtey, Dennis Baker, Betty Lou Walker – Cowan, Michael Baker, Jr., Donald Baker, Robert Rosenbaum, Sandra Hastings, George Rosenbaum, Jr., Ronald Rosenbaum, Randall Rosenbaum, Ricky Rosenbaum, Russell Rosenbaum, Rhonda Lansing, Fred Smith, Bob Smith, Rick Smith, Karen Smith – Wedderspoon, Debbie Priest and Bill Smith; along with several great-nieces and -nephews and great-great-nieces and -nephews.  

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Louis Rosenbaum in 1970 and Mathilda in 1982; her husband, Don Hansel in 1999; three sisters: Carmella Holtey in 2001, Evelyn Gillem in 2007 and Mary Baker in 2011; two brothers, Fred Rosenbaum and George Rosenbaum; five brothers-in-law:  Ralph “Bud” Holtey in 1966; Stanley Smith in 1968; Ray Gillem in 1996; Michael Baker in 1999; and Dan Shindelar in 2004; two sisters-in-law, Joyce Rosenbaum and LaVonne Rosenbaum; one niece, Georgia Rosenbaum in infancy; two nephews, Gerald Rosenbaum in 1968 and Larry Shindelar in 1976.