Ruth Anderson Nixon-Davy

Ruth Anderson Nixon-Davy died on June 30, 2014, in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Ruth was born on August 27, 1915, in Ft. Dodge, Iowa, and graduated with a Bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota; an M.A. from the University of Iowa and a Ph.D. from Florida State University. She had graduate work at Middlebury College, Purdue University, University of Mexico and University of Guatemala. In her academic life she was a teacher of Spanish in the high school of Fort Dodge, at Grosse Pointe, MI; Albion College, Albion, Michigan; and UW-La Crosse from which she retired in 1984. She chaired the Foreign Language Department for many years, brought the national honorary fraternity of Sigma Delta Pi for Spanish students and initiated an annual conference for foreign language teachers in this area. Ruth introduced the program initiated by a professor from Eau Claire to bring European college students to the campus for direct communication with the students. The first two were from France and Germany. She initiated the national honorary fraternity of Sigma Delta Pi for Spanish majors or minors. She was very active in the Teachers of Spanish of Wisconsin and the North Central Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese. Before she retired the Wisconsin Association of Foreign Language Teachers presented her with its Distinguished Foreign Language Teachers Award in 1984. When she retired, her students started a scholarship in her name at UW-L.Ruth had lessons both privately and in master session in piano and organ and was actively engaged in accompanying and recitals for many years. She won the Artist in Piano award from the National Guild of Piano Teachers as a college freshman. Together with Stella Trane Jackson, Ruth was especially interested in supplying scholarships for younger musicians. Later in life, she brought many renowned organists for recitals.She enjoyed very much her students and colleagues in the University of Wisconsin La Crosse, serving as president of American Association of University Women, winning a YWCA award in Education, and being a member of Bookfellows, a study group of AAUW. In later years, she found new friends in the P.E.O. Sisterhood, Chapter BI.In her Anderson family she leaves her youngest brother Robert L. Anderson (Colleen) of Elberta, Alabama. These siblings preceded her: Frank W. Anderson 1984, (Shirley in 2008); Carl E. Anderson 2001, (Sue); Mabel Cocking Harken 2003, (Cecil Cocking 1950; David Harken 1960); Anne Vogelsinger 2006, (Harry 2004); Florence Ballantyne 2006, (Selby 1977) and many beloved nieces and nephews.In 1950, she married George C. Nixon who preceded her in death in 1987. George and Ruth were the initial committee to bring to La Crosse the Boys Club, its original name, now the Boys and Girls Clubs. Her Nixon family included Clark E. Nixon who died 2008, Majorie who died in 2013 and their children: Nancy Raash (John) Pewaukee, Wisconsin; Nina Schiegg (William) Appleton, Wisconsin and Venice, Florida; Jacqueline Den Uyl (Bruce) Wilmette, Illinois; Carol Claudon (Chester) Seminole, Florida. Jayne Nixon Williams who died in 2006, (Harry 1984) and their children: Terk Williams Jacksonville, Florida; Susan Ardell (Craig), Southport, Connecticut; Victoria Williams, Houston, Texas; and April Williams Brown, South Africa. In 1988, she married Phillip S. Davy. He died in 1993. Phils children are: Katherine Bathurst (William 2012) Little Rock, Arkansas; Patricia Sciborski (Steven 2003) Portland, Oregon; Michael F. Davy (Joyce) La Crosse, Wisconsin; Barbara Salassa (Dr. John) Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida; Thomas Davy (Debbi) La Crosse, Wisconsin; Margaret Claeys (Douglas) Lake Havasu City, Arizona . Becoming a part of the Nixon and Davy families, Ruth was given more than she could have imagined. They are unique, receptive and affectionate families who gave her a place in their hearts without hesitancy. She had many grandchildren and great-grandchildren in both the Nixon and Davy families. She is survived by many loving nieces, nephews, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, friends and colleagues. A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 am, Monday, July 7th, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman with Monsignor Charles Stoetzel, Monsignor Bernard McGarty and Reverend Robert Cook concelebrating. Visitation will be at 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Sunday, July 6th at Schumacher Kish Funeral Home, 200 West Ave S, La Crosse, where a Prayer Service will be held at 5:00 PM. There will be no visitation at the church. The private interment will be at Catholic Cemetery. Online condolences may be submitted at www.schumacher-kish.com. Memorials may be given to the Endowment Trust of the Cathedral of St. Joseph; Ruth Nixon Davy Scholarship at UW-L Foundation; Ruth Nixon Davy Scholarship in Music at Viterbo University; the Boys and Girls Club; Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation; St. Francis Medical Foundation or the charity of ones choice.