Ruth Carolyn (Goodman) Klitzke

Ruth Carolyn Klitzke (Goodman), age 77, of Shiocton, was welcomed into her heavenly home on September 4, 2024. Ruth was born on July 17, 1947, in Appleton, WI to parents Frank and Augusta (Otto) Goodman. She graduated from Appleton West High School in 1965. On December 4, 1971, Ruth married the love of her life Edward Klitzke and recently celebrated 52 years of marriage. Ed and Ruth moved to Shiocton where they raised their three children. 

Ruth held many jobs, but the most rewarding was being able to stay home with the kids while they were young, which also gave her the opportunity to be an in-home childcare provider for numerous children whom she loved like her own. In 1986, Ruth found her passion working at Shiocton School District as a para-professional and van driver where she impacted many students’ lives. She served on the Shiocton village board for several years and did a lot of volunteering at National Mutual Benefit. Ruth served as a Sunday school teacher at Messiah Lutheran Church for many years and in 2004, Ruth and Ed joined Christus Lutheran Church where they are still active members. In her retirement, she worked at Colwitzs BP gas station and really enjoyed stopping in for a coffee at Hometown Grill to catch up with friends. Her favorite time was simply being surrounded by family and friends taking every opportunity to watch her kids and grandkids’ sporting events and school activities.  Ruth would often check in with everyone, making nightly phone calls to her kids, grandkids, friends, and family, just to check in on your day and say “I love you”.  

Ruth will be missed dearly by her husband Edward Klitzke, her three children: Chad (Kim), Stacey (Antonio) Gonzalez, and Joel (Amy). Munka, nicknamed by her eldest Grandchild, is survived by her Grandchildren: Keenan and Kennedy Klitzke, Josue Gonzalez, Jessenia (Robert) Bergemann, Marco Gonzalez, Matthew and Jacob Klitzke and Great Grand Children: Manuel Gonzalez and Martha Ruth Bergemann.

She is further survived by her siblings: Charles (Bev) Goodman, Glen (Lee Ann) Goodman, Sharon (Pat) Nachtwey and Carol Goodman and by her in-laws: Carol Brueggemann, Larry (Judy) Klitzke, Judy Westphal and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Waiting to greet Ruth in heaven, were her parents, her in-laws Eldo Klitzke and Ruth and Walter Lider, Lee (Jorraine) Goodman, Rita (Earl) Schroeder, Don Goodman, Lloyd Goodman, Richard Brueggemann, Milyn Westphal, Brian Goodman, Victor Goodman, Jeff Schroeder and Jim Schroeder.

Words cannot describe how appreciative we are to the village she had supporting her. We are incredibly grateful to her very special friends and family who sat with Ruth for visits over the last year and a half. In addition, the family would like to thank the ThedaCare Home and Hospice nurses for their compassionate care and the doctors and nurses at Appleton Medical Center in the ER and Cardiovascular unit who took care of Ruth, keeping her peaceful and comfortable allowing family and friends precious time during those last hours.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 16, 2024, at Christus Lutheran Church (N1915 Julius Dr., Greenville, WI 54942, WI) with Rev. Erik Roth officiating. A time of visitation will be held on Monday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church.  For online condolences please visit www.verkuilenfh.com.