Obituary: Ruth Ann (Casey) Dallman

March 31, 1926 – May 19, 2020

Ruth Casey Dallman, 94, formerly of Menominee, Michigan, died at Bellin Hospital in Green Bay.

Ruth was born in Oshkosh to William Patrick Casey and Agnes (Morrisey) Casey. After attending one year of business school there, she transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she met her husband, the late John F. Dallman. After they were married June 21, 1947, in Oshkosh, they moved to Fond du Lac, where Ruth taught drama at Goodyear High School.

They later relocated to South Bend, Indiana, where the family resided prior to moving to the Marinette, Wisconsin/Menominee, Michigan, area in 1960. Although Ruth was instrumental in helping her husband found the Yar-Craft Boat Company, she continued to follow her own path.

She worked for many years as a substitute teacher in Menominee and later built her own business, Just Desserts, for which she gained a wide reputation for the quality of her elegant custom desserts and French bread.

She loved to travel and explore the world. She was an avid swimmer and logged more than 1,000 miles at the YMCA in Menominee. Reading was also a passion, and she claimed that “reading is the best thing that ever happened to me.”

There was never a party or gathering too small or too large for her, and her outgoing personality was always evident. Many have commented, “Ruth was entertaining and educational and will always be remembered for her wonderful laugh and bright smile.” She loved the finer things of life, and that included setting an elegant table.

Ruth was a past member of the American Association of University Women and a charter member of the former University of Wisconsin-Marinette board of directors, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church of Marinette, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church of Sister Bay, and local civic and peace organizations.

“Menominee has been a wonderful town to me,” she often said. “It’s given me a very good life.”

She is survived by five children: Ann Dallman of Menominee, Michigan, Tom (Cheri Long) Dallman of Sturgeon Bay, John (Katie Wheelan) Dallman of Cincinnati, Ohio, Peter (Lisa Rappold) Dallman of Irvine, California, and Katherine (Michael) Holewinski of Racine, Wisconsin; grandchildren: N. Brill of Menominee, Michigan, A. Brill (Kim Keer) of Chicago, Z. Dallman (and wife, Laura) of Barcelona, Spain, J. Dallman, R. (Mike) Connor of Cincinnati, K. Dallman of Cincinnati, C. Dallman of Irvine, and two great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, two sisters and one brother. 

Ruth’s life will be celebrated with a memorial service held Saturday, Aug. 8, 11 am, OUTSIDE the west entrance of Huehns Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay, with Rev. Barbara Sajna of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church officiating. Burial will be in Clay Banks Cemetery.

Visitation for family and friends will precede, 10-10:55 am, OUTSIDE the funeral home. Visitors may drive by or walk up. (In the case of inclement weather, services will be held inside the funeral home.)

Attendees should wear face masks and maintain social distancing.

Huehns Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay is assisting the family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Ruth can be shared through her tribute page at huehnsfuneralhome.com.

A (live video condolence or remembrance) “Hug” can be recorded and privately shared with her family at sendhugs.com/record/8UoDSnC5moE/Ruth-Ann-Dallman.