Ruth Louise Harnish

Ruth Louise Harnish passed away Saturday, September 13, 2014, at Mayo Franciscan Hospital just one week and one day after her husband Harry.

Ruth was born to Edward and Emily (Dey) Schreiber on May 12, 1923, in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She was baptized June 16, 1923, and confirmed March 21, 1937, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in La Crosse. She worked as a secretary at Gateway Transportation before she married Harry D. Harnish on August 17, 1946, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church. Later she was the secretary at Hamilton Elementary School before retirement.

Ruth was fiercely loyal to family and adamant about values and ways, but attempted to extend family status to everyone she met. She was reluctant to accept assistance, but was always grateful and insisted on giving thanks. If you hadn’t eaten, she had to feed you. If you had already eaten, she had to feed you more. She loved to bid no-trump and share a good laugh. She was Harry’s Ruth, sacrificing herself for his care and well being.

Ruth is survived by one daughter Kathryn A. (James) Leide of Madison, WI; two sons, Harry E. (Marilyn) Harnish of West Fork, AR and Timothy R. (Grace) Harnish of Holmen, WI; six granddaughters, Heather Leide, Tracy (Brent) Garringer, Kori Rice, Lauren (Justin) Ackerman, Kimberly (John) Ivy, and Kristen (Patrick) Walz; one grandson, Kevin (Krissa) Harnish; seven great-grandsons, Killian and Kieran Harnish, Christopher Myers, Jakob Layland, Dexter Rice, Peyton Ackerman and Jackson Ivy; two great-granddaughters, Sophia Ackerman and Julia Walz;
a sister Marilyn Lee of Rochester, MN; and sister-in-law Phyllis Schreiber of LaCrossse.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Harry; parents; two sisters, Dorothy Yarbrough and Florence Reininga; and brother, Robert Schreiber.

Ruth was a lifetime member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church and a member of First Evangelical Lutheran Ladies Aid. She volunteered at American Red Cross Bloodmobile.

Ruth’s thoughtfulness and generosity will be missed by many - to say nothing of the thousands of cookies she shared with the many health workers she came in contact with over the years.

Memorials may be made to First Evangelical Lutheran School or Church or to the charity of donor’s choice. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 400 West Ave. S., La Crosse. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service Wednesday at the church.