Ruth J. Abraham

Ruth Johan (Parent) Abraham

Mom is home, dancing with Dad.

Ruth was 97 years old when she died on Mother’s Day, May 11, 2025. Ruth was the youngest of three girls born to Thomas and Augusta Parent. She graduated from Marinette High School. Following high school, she moved to Appleton and worked at Pettibone Peabody Store (H.C. Prange’s), moving up to become the Girls Fashion Buyer. It was there that she met Kenneth Abraham. They married in May 1949 and spent 59 years together, before Ken’s passing in 2009.

Ruth was a terrific mother to their five children. She then became an awesome “Nanny” to her eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren near and far! Following many years being a stay-at-home mom, Ruth took a job at Lawrence University to work first in the food service at Downer Hall and then as Physical Plant Secretary. She and Ken enjoyed many years of travel, especially the years they wintered in Spain. She passed the travel tradition to her children and their spouses. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for opening our world to travel!

Ruth is survived by her children and their families; Terri (Jerry) Walker, Grand Rapids, MI; Sue (Eugene) Doell, Appleton; Barb (Will, deceased) Fitzgerald, Weston; Pete (Mary) Abraham, Appleton; and Karen (Mike) Kahle, Tomahawk. Her wonderful grandchildren include Debbie (Doug) Ryke and their children Tyler & Kendra; Mike (Agnese) Walker and their children Michaela & Kristian; Susie (Justin) Reed and their children Hunter & Keller; Kate Abraham; Peter Abraham; Joey (Alison) Abraham and son Emmett; Nicole Parker and children Eli & Charlotte; and Alissa Kahle (finance Emerson Bartch).

She was preceded in death by her husband Ken, her parents Thomas and Augusta Parent, her sisters Joyce Hartman and Jean Baumler and son-in-law William Fitzgerald.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 17 at Highland Memorial Cemetery Chapel at 11:00 am with Pastor Dan Thews officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am and continue until the time of the service. Following the service, a celebration of life luncheon will be served at Ridgeview Highlands Community Room. Later, her family will place Mom and Dad’s cremains at the Highland Memorial Cemetery Columbarium.

Special thanks to Dr. Lee Vogel for being an awesome physician and friend. Thanks to Theresa and her wonderful staff at Ballard Glenn Assisted Living and to Krista and her team from St. Croix Hospice. Thank you for loving and caring for our Mom!

Ruth was a member of Faith Lutheran Church. She listened every Sunday to the service on the radio. Memorials may be made to the Faith Lutheran Church radio ministry in lieu of flowers.