Ruth E. Schmutzer

Ruth E. Schmutzer, longtime area resident, died Sat. Sept. 5 at Columbia Health Care Center in Wyocena. She was 84 years old.She was born Jan. 21, 1925 in Langlade County, daughter of the late William and Hattie (Kieper) Shanks. On Aug. 28, 1943 she married George Schmutzer in Langlade County.Mrs. Schmutzer resided in the Deerbrook area for most of her life, moving to Columbia County to be near her son in 2007.She was employed as a floral designer for Frisch Greenhouse for 30 years. She also worked at Young's, Harper's, Quinn's, Novak's, Riverview, and many of the area potato farms. She was a member of the Lions Club and the Deerbrook Bridgerunners Snowmobile Club. Through her work with the Lions, she organized the Neva Day Parade for many years. Mrs. Schmutzer enjoyed travelling all over the world through her involvement with FTD floral association, visiting the Holy Land, Europe, Hawaii, and Egypt. She also worked on floats for the Rose Bowl parade.She was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Deerbrook, and was active in the altar guild.Survivors include a son, Laddie (Susan) Schmutzer of Columbus; a brother, Lyle Schmutzer of Fox Lake; 4 grandchildren, Steve of Woodruff, Carrie (Ken) Davin of Raleigh, NC, Jamie (Nick) Feira of Green Bay, and Melissa (Perry) Prichard of Fon du Lac; 4 great-grandchildren, Susan Schmutzer of Oshkosh, Ryan and Anne Davin of Raleigh, NC, and Mason Feira of Green Bay.She is preceded in death by 4 sisters, Norma Borneman, Elda Schuman, Arlene Ackerman, and Donna Stanton; and 2 brothers, Lloyd Shanks, and Ken Shanks.