Ruth Harp

Ruth Harp (Ebben), 91, died Friday, January 23, 2026, on her own terms and living out her dream – to spend her final years in the comfort of her own home in Appleton. It was the place she shared with her beloved husband, Tom, until his passing on May 17, 2020. The two married on June 2, 1958 at St. John Nepomucene Church in Little Chute and they shared more than 61 years together. 

Survivors include her daughter, Deanne Webster, Plover; and her son, Bob (Sue) Harp, Grand Chute. Her grandchildren were her special joy: Jill (Matt) Vissers, Neenah; Christopher (Elizabeth) Harp, Town of Center; Nicole (Brian) Pietsch, Grand Chute; Kathryn (Nathan) Ormiston, Boise, Idaho; and Anna (Luke) Haas, Arpin. Ruth was blessed with great-grandchildren who brought endless smiles to her face: Kaitlyn, Adalynn, and Jackson Vissers; Oliver and Charlie Harp; Lucas and Olivia Pietsch; Lily and June Ormiston; and Leo and “Baby Haas 1.2” on the way in the next few days.

Other survivors include her sisters, Mary (Jerry) Gehl, Hollandtown; and Elaine Rathsack, Delaware, Ohio; and sisters-in-law, Deb Ebben, Winneconne; Marilyn Ebben, Madison; Carol Harp, Menasha; and Arlene Harp, DePere.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a 16-year-old sister Elaine, stepbrother Donald Vanden Hogen, her sisters Eunice (Roger) Verstegen and Sheila (Marv) Romenesko, and her brothers Jim Ebben and Al Ebben. Also going before her were in-laws Eugene and Loretta Harp, brothers-in-law Jim, Leo, Dave and Rich Harp, and sister-in-law Barb Harp.

Ruth was born on March 16, 1934 in Little Chute to Simon and Marie (Hietpas) Ebben. She graduated from St. John High School, Little Chute, and joined the Holy Family Franciscan Convent. Though she left the convent after 6 months, she kept St. Francis alive in her heart and later in life joined the local Third Order of the Franciscans. In honor of St. Francis, Ruth spent a lifetime feeding the birds and the bears both in Appleton and at their cherished cabin property in Suring.

Ruth waitressed at Karras’ Restaurant in the early 1960s and then moved on to the Appleton YMCA in 1964 to work in the childcare area. In the late ‘60s she was promoted to the membership office, followed by the business office. She then became the administrative assistant to General Director Bob Brunken, followed by Fred Hauser. When she retired in 1999, she had 34 years of service to her credit, and through the years assisted with various renovations to the buildings and many capital and annual fundraising campaigns, insisting that she enjoyed the “extra work” that made it all fun and challenging.

First-grade sweethearts, Tom and Ruth relished their life together and were especially fond of making wine in their basement kitchen. They started in 1970, and the fruits of their labor were recognized with awards in an international winemaking competition – the very first time they entered the contest in the spring of 2009. Ruth loved gardening at their cabin, tending to everything from squash to 350 onions! She was very active in St. Joseph Catholic Church, serving as Church Council secretary for 10 years, as lecturer and communion distributor, and as a dedicated assistant to the various priests serving the parish over the years.

Ruth will be memorialized on Thursday, Feb. 19, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 404 W. Lawrence St., Appleton. Visitation will take place from 9-11 a.m., followed by livestreamed Mass at 11 a.m. Ruth will be laid to rest with her husband at St. Joseph Cemetery in Appleton, WI.

One of Ruth’s final requests was that her gratitude be shared with those who helped her live life to the fullest, right until the very end. She was eternally grateful to her daughter Deanne for her endless care, to her friends and neighbors for their helpfulness in so many ways, and the priests who ministered to her on countless occasions: Fr. Jim Leary, Fr. Bob Malloy and Fr. Ray Stadmeyer. We all echo their sentiments: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” RIP, Ruth.