Ruth Jorenby

Ruth Jorenby, age 86 of The New Glarus Home, formerly of Hollandale and Blanchardville died early Wednesday morning, January 20, 2010 at the Monroe Clinic Hospital in Monroe. She was born on March 26, 1923 in Blanchardville, the daughter of Benjamin & Viola (Vinger) Strommen. She attended the Loyalty rural school near Blanchardville, graduated from the Blanchardville High School in 1940, and went to the Madison Business College. Ruth was married on May 16, 1943 to G. Stanley Jorenby at the Adams Lutheran Church. She was a bookkeeper for the Blanchardville Co-op Oil in the 1940's. Ruth and Stanley farmed together in the Blanchardville/Hollandale area for 40 years. They retired to Blanchardville in 1981. Ruth was a member of York Memorial Lutheran Church and Women of the ELCA. At church she was the Sunday School superintendent where she was famous for her flannel graph presentations. She was a writer, publishing many articles expressing her concerns and compassion in local and national publications. Ruth also spoke to many gatherings about her missions work. She also had a strong affiliation with Wartburg Lutheran Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. Ruth was a teacher of the Bethel Bible Series classes. She was the church organist from 1958-2001. She was also very active in church mission, a member of the national and state church boards for Namibia concerns, including a month-long trip to Namibia in 1991. Todd Larson, Attorney for the United Nations said of Ruth after her death "From her roots and home in Southwestern Wisconsin, and at an age when many folks are content to simply sit back, Ruth rallied and made a truly remarkable contribution to the process of Namibian independence from South Africa. Ruth was clearly a proud Wisconsinite and American. Through her curiosity, intellect and compassion, she regularly demonstrated that she was also a responsible citizen of the world - reaching out to and praying for less fortunate individuals around the globe." Ruth is survived by three sons, Stuart (Joan) Jorenby of Hollandale, Steven (Becky) Jorenby of Blanchardville, and Stanton (Jeannette) Jorenby of Hollandale; two daughters, Sharon (Paul) Thompson of Oregon, and Susan Jorenby of Blanchardville and her special friend Tom Hardin; eleven grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren and seven step-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Stanley on December 11, 1993; an infant son; her brother Sylvanus Strommen; and an infant sister Evelyn. Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 25, 2010 at 11:00 AM at the York Memorial Lutheran Church at the intersection of highways 39 and 78 in rural Blanchardville. Rev. Mark Gruner of the Pecatonica Lutheran Parish will officiate. Burial will be in the York Memorial Cemetery. Friends may call Sunday, January 24, 2010 at the York Memorial Lutheran Church from 2:00 until 7:00 PM, and one hour prior to the service. The Saether Funeral Home in Blanchardville is assisting the family. Online memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.saetherfuneralhome.com.