Ruth Violet Penovich

Ruth Violet Penovich, 100, of Sturgeon Bay, was called Home to be with the Lord, Saturday, December 21, 2024 at Bayview Senior Care in Sturgeon Bay.

She was born at home in Peninsula Center, in the Town of Baileys Harbor, March 31, 1924, the daughter of William Frank Meyer and Johanna "Hannah" Marie (Christianson) Meyer. Ruth grew up attending St. Paul Lutheran Church in Juddville and school in the Baileys Harbor area.

She initially worked on the family farm. Ruth went to work in the Milwaukee Defense Factory during WWII until the end of the war.

Ruth met John Matt Penovich at a local Door County dance hall, Fernwood Gardens in the Town of Jacksonport. They were united in marriage on May 25, 1946 at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Milwaukee.

Ruth and John settled in Sturgeon Bay, and Ruth went to work as a clerk for McClellan’s Store, then H.C. Prange Company for many years until her retirement in the early 1980s. Her primary care was devoted to caring for her family at home. Ruth eventually joined the lunch program staff at Sunset Elementary School.

She and John joined St. Joseph Parish in Sturgeon Bay where she remained a lifelong member. Ruth was an avid hand quilter who made numerous wall hangings and crafts and donated many to church for functions over the years, in addition to offering them to family and friends.

Ruth and John were blessed with over 46 years of marriage. He preceded her in death on New Year's Eve in 1992.

Ruth will be missed by her children, Paul (Mary) Penovich, Carol (John) Klaubauf, both of Sturgeon Bay, and Peter (Jane) Penovich of the Town of Sevastopol; grandchildren, Scott (Carrie) Penovich and Daniel (Tracey) Penovich, Timothy (Laura) Klaubauf, Jermey (Claudia) Klaubauf, and Carrie (Eric) Romsos, and Hilary (John) Bunker and Andy Penovich; great-grandchildren, Tyler and Lexi Penovich; Cody and Paige Penovich, Nathan and Kalei Klaubauf, Jack, Will, Sam, and Max Romsos, and Jack, Mason, and Liam Bunker; sister-in-law, Irene Meyer of the Town of Baileys Harbor; many nieces and nephews; and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Albert (Bianca) Meyer, Alvina Polster, Frank (Helen) Meyer, Herman (Bernice) Meyer, Elsie (Edward) Garlie, Emily Lee, Florence (Edward) Garlie, Gladys (Ned) Anderson, Infant, and Henry Meyer; siblings-in-law, Antonia (John) Tomjanovich, Danica (Earla) Moeller, and Antone "Tony" Penovich; and other relatives.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be prayed at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 27, 2024 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 110 N. 5th Avenue, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 with Fr. Matthew Rappl as celebrant. Ruth will be laid to rest in the mausoleum at St. Joseph Cemetery in the Town of Sevastopol, beside her husband, John.

Visitation for family and friends will be held at the church on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until 10:40 a.m.

Memorials may be given in her honor for St. Joseph Parish (Mail to: 526 Louisiana Street, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235).

"Our family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Tomasz Michalski at Door County Medical Center and the staff of Unity Hospice, and other caregiver staff for the wonderful and compassionate care given to our mother."

Huehns Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay is assisting the Penovich family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Ruth may be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.HuehnsFuneralHome.com.

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