Obituary: Ruth H. Stephan

May 9, 1935 – Sept. 20, 2019 

God saw that Ruthie was getting tired, so He put his arms around her and whispered, “Come with Me.” Ruth passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her children shortly after being diagnosed with cancer.

Ruth H. Stephan, 84, was born in Valmy to Louis and Amanda Sternard. On May 29, 1954, Ruth married Leon E. Stephan Sr. at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Valmy.

Together, Leon and Ruth raised six wonderful and loving children, Lynn (Bill) Prust of Baileys Harbor, Leon (Jeannie) Stephan Jr. of Sturgeon Bay, Pam Mallien of Madison, Debbie (Tom) Stephenson of Sturgeon Bay, Tina Stephan of Green Bay, and Fay (Patrick) LeMense of Green Bay. Ruth greatly enjoyed spending time with her 18 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. Ruth is also survived by her sister-in-law, Beth Stephan; and nieces and nephews.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Amanda Sternard; sisters, Deloris Michelsen and Myra Ward; brother, Clarence Sternard; granddaughter, Stacy Prust; and parents-in-law, Alvin and Agnes Stephan.

A funeral service will be held at 2 pm on Monday, Sept. 23, at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Valmy, with Pastor Benjamin Enstad officiating. Burial will be beside her husband, Leon, in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Juddville.

Visitation will be Monday at the church, 12-1:45 pm.

The family would like to thank Unity Hospice, especially Cindy, Maureen, Heather and Josh. Also, all the family and friends who assisted in making Ruth’s final days filled with so much love and compassion.

God saw she was getting tired and a cure was not to be, so He put His arms around her and whispered, “Come with Me.” With tearful eyes we watched her suffer and saw her fade away. Although we loved her dearly, we could not make her stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard-working hands to rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us He takes only the best.

Casperson Funeral Home in Sister Bay is assisting the Stephan family. Expressions of sympathy, memories and photos of Ruth can be shared through her tribute page at caspersonfuneralhome.com. Please click here to view the video tribute.