Ruth E. Dreger, Merrill, age 95, passed away Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014 in San Ramon, CA while visiting her sister Harriet.
Ruth was born Oct. 24, 1918 in Manitowoc, WI, the daughter of Harold and Christena (Kasper) Pope. On the day she was baptized, church bells rang to celebrate the end of World War I – Nov. 18, 1918.
She married Raymond Dreger on June 8, 1946 in Merrill. He preceded her in death Nov. 25, 1999.
After graduating from Merrill High School in 1936 and Lincoln County Norman School in 1937, Ruth taught in one-room schoolhouses. She graduated from UW-Stevens Point with a degree in education. She also taught at St. John Lutheran School, Scott School and retired from teaching special education at Washington School in Merrill in 1984. She was honored with the MAPS Teacher of the Year award and the Wisconsin Special Education Teacher of the Year.
She and Ray traveled, played golf and square danced. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, scrapbooking and interviewing interesting people to write their stories. She originally began writing with her column “School Days” in the Merrill Courier, writing about the history of all Merrill rural schools. Through the years she was active in the Merrill Lioness, Good Samaritan Auxiliary and Merrill Historical Society. She loved living on the Wisconsin River and enjoyed the beauty of nature.
Survivors include children William (Deirdre) Dreger, Tomahawk, Robert (Leslie) Dreger, Kalamazoo, MI and Ruth Ann (Yurgen) Markewycz, Merrill; grandchildren Claire (Alberto) Laverde, Sammamish, WA, Elizabeth (Carl) Dreger-Anderson, Tomahawk, Ian Dreger, Platteville, WI, Katelynd Dreger, Garden City, KS and Allyson Dreger, Kalamazoo, MI; great grandchildren Luca, Marco, Oriana and Eadlyn; sister Harriet Olivotti, Livermore, CA and one brother-in-law Fred Will (Phyllis Frederick), Merrill, several nieces and nephews and her favorite (and only) cat, Boots.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Raymond, and sister, Cora Will.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. John Lutheran Church in Merrill or the charity of your choice.
Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27 at Waid Funeral Home and from 10-11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 28, at St John Lutheran Church. The funeral will be 11 a.m. Friday at St John Lutheran Church. Rev. Nathan Kramer will officiate. A luncheon in the church basement will follow the service. Entombment will be at 2 p.m. at Restlawn Memorial Park in Wausau.
Waid Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.