Ruth Anna Prodell , 94 years old, passed into eternal life just a few hours before her 95th birthday, on September 1, 2017, at the Wisconsin Veteran's Home in King, Wisconsin. She was born on September 2, 1922, to the late Henry and Margaret (Siegmund) Kudick in Kewaunee County. Baptism by Rev. H. A. Handrich took place on September 24, 1922, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Montpelier. This church was also the site of her confirmation by Rev. R. F. Pautz on May 24, 1936. Her elementary education was completed at Lafollette Grade School and St. Paul's Lutheran School in the Township of Montpelier, Kewaunee County. In 1984, she earned her GED, High School Equivalency Diploma.
Her marriage to Elmer Otto Prodell took place on July 31, 1943, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Montpelier. They began their married life in California where Elmer was stationed as a soldier in the United States Army. When Elmer was deployed overseas during World War II, Ruth returned to Wisconsin.
Throughout her life, she worked various jobs: housewife, homemaker, cheese maker's assistant, farmer's wife, various factory jobs, and as a bookkeeper for the Algoma Sears Store. She spent many hours sewing clothing for her children, including costumes for elementary school plays. As a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Rankin, she was a Sunday School teacher and a member of the Ladies Aide. Ruth was an active member of the Casco American Legion Post 319-Thibaudeau Drossart and Chapter 3 DAV Auxiliary of Green Bay.
She found enjoyment with cooking, baking, flowers, gardening, fishing, attending local events, traveling, spending time at the cabin in Townsend, and family gatherings with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Ruth always liked to attend and plan a celebration, and then take pictures, lots of pictures of the event!
She is survived by two sons Ronald (Fay) Prodell and Sheldon (Shirley) Prodell; two daughters, Marilyn Ihlenfeldt and Lila (Larry) Schlorf; ten grandchildren, Michelle Phillip (special friend, Roy), Shawn (Jenny) Prodell, Tom Prodell, Tim Prodell, Travis (Elsie) Prodell, Nichole (Shawn) Campbell, Jason Ihlenfeldt, Ben Smith, Chris (Christine) Smith, and Andrew (fiancAC., Alyson) Smith; six great-grandchildren, Morgan Phillip, Marie Prodell, Dillon Prodell, Emma Smith, Jackson Smith, and Evelyn Smith; one step-great-grandson, Eric Schwister; one sister LaVerne Koehler; one sister-in-law, Helen Kudick; one brother, Orville Kudick; many nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband of almost 74 years, Elmer Otto Prodell; one daughter and son-in-law, Janice (Ron) Smith; one grandson-in-law, John Phillip; her parents, Henry and Margaret Kudick; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Harry and Minnie Prodell; a sister, Myrtle Luedtke; a brother, Henry Kudick, Jr.; eight brothers-in law and sisters-in-law: Glenway Luedtke, Elmer Koehler, Betty Kudick, Mary (Carl) Laabs, Clara (John) Eichmann, Herbert (Maime) Prodell, Sally Scott, Emma (Ray) Robinson, Ruth (Jim) DeGreef, and Paul (Lillian) Prodell.
Visitation will be held at St. John's Lutheran Church, Rankin, from 9:00 a.m. to 11a.m. on Thursday September 7, 2017. Funeral Service will take place at 11 a.m. with Rev. Christopher Jackson officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Wiesner & Massart Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared here .
Ruth's children would like to give a special thank-you to the staff of the third floor, Olson Hall, Wisconsin Veteran's Home, King, Wisconsin, for their professional and compassionate care of their mom.
