Ruth Oliver

Ruth Arlene (Lockington) Oliver, 93, of La Crosse, passed away on Sunday, May 15, 2016, at the Hillview Healthcare Center.
She was born on August 16, 1922, in De Soto, Wis., to Albert “Bert” and Frances “Fannie” (Woodhouse) Lockington. She married Wilbert Oliver (deceased) of Romance, Wis., on January 4, 1941. They were later divorced.
Ruth was an avid gardener and loved helping with her grandchildren. She volunteered for many years at the Moose Lodge in La Crosse and did volunteer work for funeral lunches at her church. Ruth worked at Kresge’s Dime store behind the lunch counter and cleaned rooms at the Guest House Hotel. She also had a sewing and alterations business for 14 years. After moving into Forest Park high-rise in La Crosse, she made many close friends and loved playing cards and going out to breakfast. She also took care of the flowers around Forest Park.
Ruth also entertained by singing at nursing homes, the Moose Lodge, and also sang with the Southside Senior’s band, The Sweet Notes.
Ruth is survived by two sons and two daughters, Wayne (Bonnie) of Onalaska, and Jerry, Janie (Rick) Staszewski, and Angela (Steve) Holinka, all of La Crosse; grandchildren, Becky Oliver and Sara Swartling of La Crosse, Timothy Hylton of Staten Island, N.Y., Kate and Tony Holinka of La Crosse, Darrin Oliver of Ormond Beach, Fla., and Parker Oliver of Jacksonville, Fla; and nine great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Edward, of Kansas City, Mo.
The family would like to thank Franciscan Skemp Hospice caregivers and the Hillvew Healthcare staff for the wonderful care Ruth received.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00a.m., Thursday, May 19th, at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services, 200 West Ave. So., La Crosse. Rev. Kathleen Charles will officiate. Burial will follow in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park. Family and friends may call from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Thursday at the funeral home.