Ruth Irene Kabat

Ruth Irene Kabat passed away on Tuesday, May 30, 2017, at All Saints Assisted Living & Memory Care in Madison. She was born in La Crosse,Wisconsin on May 18, 1926, to John F. and Irene M. (Mehren) Zanter. She married Donald F. Uhler on July 4, 1946. He passed away in 1957. She married Donald G. Kabat on February 9, 1963. He passed away in 2007.

Ruth graduated from Aquinas High School in 1943 as an honor student. In 1971, at the age of 45, she returned to school, attending UW-La Crosse from 1971 to 1973 and Western Wisconsin Technical Institute from 1972 to 1973, earning her License in Practical Nursing (LPN). She was employed at Desmond’s Men’s Wear as a bookkeeper from 1960 to 1965, St. Francis Hospital as a ward secretary from 1965 to 1972, and as an LPN from 1973 to 1974. She then moved to the Franciscan Skemp Clinic, where she worked for Dr. William B. Gallagher and others in surgery, urology, OB-GYN, and ENT until she retired in 1988.

Following retirement Ruth volunteered for the American Red Cross, Oktoberfest, Hintgen School, RSVP, and St. Francis Hospital. She was also a 7-gallon blood donor. She attended daily Mass whenever she could. Through her life she was a member of Holy Trinity, St. Wenceslaus, and Cathedral Parishes in La Crosse and Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Madison.

She is survived by her son John F. (Mary) Uhler of Madison, Wisconsin; her brother John F. Zanter (Ann, now deceased) of La Crosse; sister Beverly Giovenazzo (James, now deceased) of East Moline, Illinois; sister Mary Jane (Richard) Sheehan of Rockford, Illinois; three grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her daughter Mary Susan Uhler (Steve Gohmann), her parents, spouses, in-laws, and her lifelong friend, Imelda Wright.

Ruth will be remembered for her love, dedication, and perseverance in dealing with the illnesses of her father, children, and husbands. She never really had a life that wasn’t touched in some way by serious illness, including her own. When she wasn’t taking care of her own family, she was also helping others who were ill. She was beloved and admired by her many friends and caregivers.

The family would like to thank Delores Eklund, Monsignor Gerard Healy, Father James Hinnen, and many others for their support and assistance in recent years, as well as the medical and care staff at UW Health, All Saints Neighborhood, and Agrace Hospice Care.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, June 2, 2017 at 2:00 PM in the Marian Chapel at St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral with Msgr, Charles Stoetzel officiating. Friends may call at the Cathedral an hour before the Mass. Burial will be at a later date at the Catholic Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Aquinas Foundation. The Schumacher-Kish Funeral & Cremation Service of La Crosse is assisting the family. Online guestbook is available at www.schumacher-kish.com.