Obituary for Ruth Renee Abraham (Brenner)
Ruth Renee Abraham (Brenner) ascended to heaven on December 9, 2021 surrounded by the love of her family. She was born to the late George C. Brenner and Adele D. Brenner (Neimy) on January 2, 1937. She grew up an only child until her brother Steve Brenner joined the family when she was 10 years old. The family lived in DePere, WI where she enjoyed time with her extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins.
She is survived by her brother Steve Brenner (Lynn), daughters Anne Elizabeth Abraham, Amy Louise Garner (Ed) and Rachel Marie Sorce (Pete). She is further survived by her two grandchildren whom she adored, Jane Katherine Moran and Ian James Pribyl, and by many other family members and dear friends.
Ruth was a graduate of West De Pere High School and the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education. She taught elementary music in Preble, WI until she married the love of her life James (Jim) R. Abraham. “Ruthie” and Jim moved to Columbus, WI, then made their home in South Milwaukee. Jim taught band at St. Francis High School while Ruth raised their three daughters, worked as a substitute teacher and taught piano lessons.
A kind, conscientious and loving wife and mother, Ruth was an independent lady who could also be stubborn at times. She liked to do things her way, and this approach to life served her well for 84 years. She enjoyed meeting people and telling them all about her family, talking about current events and of course, music. She was a passionate musician (piano and keyboard) just like her husband (trombone). Together, they enjoyed many years of making music and performing with the Air Command Orchestra and other Milwaukee-area swing and brass bands. They performed at Summerfest, The Pfister Hotel, the Governor’s Ball, fundraising events, weddings, retirement parties and even a cruise on the Mississippi Queen.
Ruth, Jim and the girls, along with their beloved Schnauzer, “Shermie,” frequently spent their spring and summer breaks travelling the United States in any number of beige station wagons and camping in National and State parks. She and Jim travelled regularly to Door County, WI and elsewhere to visit family and friends. Ruth enjoyed reading, gardening and was always busy with artistic projects or collecting art and “knick-knacks” that made her happy. She filled her home with mementos from her travels. She was a talented seamstress, creative, resourceful and sentimental. She kept every card or letter she ever received.
She didn’t always enjoy cooking, but she sure knew how to make a Thanksgiving or Christmas Dinner! Ruth created a warm and inviting home for all who visited, including the hundreds of piano students she taught throughout her life. Playing and teaching the piano was her life’s passion. She had a way of connecting with her students and their families, and she loved them all dearly. She never retired from teaching piano.
Ruth lived quietly, modestly and with integrity. She left this earth unexpectedly when none of us were ready to say good-bye. Yet, we know that she is with her one true love, who has been waiting 15 years for his favorite pianist and sweetheart to join his band in heaven. So, whenever you hear the piano, you’ll know that Ruth is with you in spirit. We will miss her terribly and we will hold her in our hearts forever.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 from 3-5 pm with service at 5 pm at the United Methodist Church, 1327 Marshall Ave., South Milwaukee, WI 53172. Ruth’s Celebration of Life will follow from 6-9 pm at the Bucyrus Club, 1919 12th Ave, South Milwaukee. In lieu of flowers, send memorials to Milwaukee Rescue Mission, 830 N. 19th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53233 or https://milmission.org. To share a memory of Ruth or send a condolence to her family visit www.molthenbell.com, Molthen-Bell & Son Funeral Home.
She is survived by her brother Steve Brenner (Lynn), daughters Anne Elizabeth Abraham, Amy Louise Garner (Ed) and Rachel Marie Sorce (Pete). She is further survived by her two grandchildren whom she adored, Jane Katherine Moran and Ian James Pribyl, and by many other family members and dear friends.
Ruth was a graduate of West De Pere High School and the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education. She taught elementary music in Preble, WI until she married the love of her life James (Jim) R. Abraham. “Ruthie” and Jim moved to Columbus, WI, then made their home in South Milwaukee. Jim taught band at St. Francis High School while Ruth raised their three daughters, worked as a substitute teacher and taught piano lessons.
A kind, conscientious and loving wife and mother, Ruth was an independent lady who could also be stubborn at times. She liked to do things her way, and this approach to life served her well for 84 years. She enjoyed meeting people and telling them all about her family, talking about current events and of course, music. She was a passionate musician (piano and keyboard) just like her husband (trombone). Together, they enjoyed many years of making music and performing with the Air Command Orchestra and other Milwaukee-area swing and brass bands. They performed at Summerfest, The Pfister Hotel, the Governor’s Ball, fundraising events, weddings, retirement parties and even a cruise on the Mississippi Queen.
Ruth, Jim and the girls, along with their beloved Schnauzer, “Shermie,” frequently spent their spring and summer breaks travelling the United States in any number of beige station wagons and camping in National and State parks. She and Jim travelled regularly to Door County, WI and elsewhere to visit family and friends. Ruth enjoyed reading, gardening and was always busy with artistic projects or collecting art and “knick-knacks” that made her happy. She filled her home with mementos from her travels. She was a talented seamstress, creative, resourceful and sentimental. She kept every card or letter she ever received.
She didn’t always enjoy cooking, but she sure knew how to make a Thanksgiving or Christmas Dinner! Ruth created a warm and inviting home for all who visited, including the hundreds of piano students she taught throughout her life. Playing and teaching the piano was her life’s passion. She had a way of connecting with her students and their families, and she loved them all dearly. She never retired from teaching piano.
Ruth lived quietly, modestly and with integrity. She left this earth unexpectedly when none of us were ready to say good-bye. Yet, we know that she is with her one true love, who has been waiting 15 years for his favorite pianist and sweetheart to join his band in heaven. So, whenever you hear the piano, you’ll know that Ruth is with you in spirit. We will miss her terribly and we will hold her in our hearts forever.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 from 3-5 pm with service at 5 pm at the United Methodist Church, 1327 Marshall Ave., South Milwaukee, WI 53172. Ruth’s Celebration of Life will follow from 6-9 pm at the Bucyrus Club, 1919 12th Ave, South Milwaukee. In lieu of flowers, send memorials to Milwaukee Rescue Mission, 830 N. 19th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53233 or https://milmission.org. To share a memory of Ruth or send a condolence to her family visit www.molthenbell.com, Molthen-Bell & Son Funeral Home.