Ruth Eileen Kerswill

Ruth Kerswill, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully at her home in Wausau, Wisconsin, on November 2, 2025, surrounded by love and family.

Ruth’s life was a testament to kindness, faith, and quiet strength. She devoted herself to her family, raising eight children who were the pride and joy of her life. Her warmth and compassion touched everyone who knew her, and her home was always filled with laughter, stories, and adventures.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Wayne Kerswill; her parents, Merrill and Emily Emmerich; her sister, Imogene Emmerich Schoenfuss; her brother, Lester Emmerich; her grandson, Brian Teeples; and a great grandson, Hunter Schultz.

Her memory will be cherished by her surviving children; Rocky Kerswill, Randy Kerswill (Denice), Sue Teeples (David), Steve Kerswill (Rita), Peggy Annisi (Vinnie), Peter Kerswill (Debbie), Mary Mladek (Alex), Elizabeth "Bitsy" Knetter (David); grandchildren, Samantha Kerswill, Jenna Kerswill Schultz, Heather Kerswill, Ryan Kerswill (Sarah), Ashley Kerswill, Stephanie Kerswill Beaschler (Chris), Dan Teeples (Jenny), Amy Teeples Foley (Greg), Josh Teeples, Nic Kerswill, Jacob Kerswill, Philip Annisi, Matthew Annisi, Teresa Annisi, Amanda Kerswill Spence, Matthew Kerswill (Haley), Markus Mladek, Madeline Mladek, Max Mladek, Taylor Knetter Vreeland (Dustin), Sarah Knetter Bramann (Cody), Zachery Knetter (Abbigal); great grandchildren, Aaliyah Clemins, Braden Thomas, Ryleigh Schmidt, Nathan Schmidt, Beckham Kerswill, Emerson Kerswill, Ryker Kerswill, Sam Teeples, Penny Teeples, Jacob Foley, Alice Foley, Jett Kerswill, Tatum Kerswill, Mina Annisi, Giovanni Cramer, Stella Cramer, Will Spence, Griffin Spence, Bella Mladek, Addison Vreeland, Emma Vreeland, Luke Vreeland, Meredith Bramann, Chloe Bramann, Westley Knetter, and Waylynn Knetter.

Ruth will be remembered not only for her role as matriarch, but as a woman of quiet strength: someone who found joy in everyday moments, in caring for others, and in the traditions she passed down. Whether around the busy home, in celebrating holidays, or just offering a listening ear, she anchored her family through all seasons of life.

Born June 18, 1932, in Merrill WI, Ruth and her family moved to Wausau, WI when she was two years old. She graduated from Wausau High School in 1950 and ranked 13th in her class. She went to work for the Board of Education following high school. There she scored all IQ test in the Wausau schools for kindergarten, 3rd and 6th grades. She married Wayne Kerswill August 4, 1951. Ruth taught Sunday school at First Presbyterian Church Wausau. She did flannel board stories at the church and at the schools in the Wausau area. Ruth worked for Dr. E. William Gabler and ran his dental office for many years.

She ran many half marathons and 10 K races. She also ran one marathon. Her first race was at the age of 48 in Bellin Memorial, Green Bay. She took first place in her division.

Ruth collected Nativities and had hundreds of them in both Florida and Wisconsin. Everyone who knew Ruth knew she absolutely loved good chocolate! Ruth spent her winters in Bradenton, FL where she loved the sunshine, going to the beach, and looking after her elderly neighbors. She loved going to church at First Presbyterian Church Brandon FL, where she had many friends. She became very close to Pastor Michael McCormack.

In the summers, when she was back in Wisconsin, she spent her time going to the sporting events of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In 1994, Ruth joined Covenant Community Presbyterian Church in Weston, WI. She was a faithful member of the congregation and she loved Pastor Jim Gates, who was always there for her and her family.

Ruth was a woman of tremendous faith and her greatest joy in life is knowing her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren know and love the Lord.

A special thank you to Hank, Lauren, and Matthew from Compassus Home Hospice.

Private services are being held. Ascend Funeral Home & Cremation Care of Weston is assisting the Kerswill family with arrangements. You may sign the family guestbook at www.ascendweston.org.