Ruth Gorman

Ruth Gorman, 96, of Gays Mills, died Sunday, October 18, 2015. Ruth Gorman, age 96 of Gays Mills, died Sunday, October 18, 2015. She was born on Feb. 9, 1919 in Crawford County to Scott and Katie (Murphy) Gorman. She was baptized, received First Holy Communion and was confirmed at St. Phillips Catholic Church in Rolling Ground. After attending St. Marys Academy in Prairie du Chien, she was graduated from Soldiers Grove High School, the Richland County Teachers College and subsequently the University of Wisconsin in LaCrosse and did graduate work at the University of Wisconsin in Madison and at Marquette University in Milwaukee. She accepted a position as a primary grade teacher in the Gays Mills Elementary School where she served for 25 years. She was named elementary principal for 13 years. In 1964 she became the first Consultant in Language Arts for the J.B. Lippincott Publishing Co. of Philadelphia. For 17 years she traveled the United States guiding and assisting teachers in the use of their language arts materials, retiring to her home in Gays Mills in December 1980. For 6 summers she was on the staff of Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois, teachers attended for instruction in the phonetic approach to beginning reading. During her professional career she was a member of the state and national teachers association, elementary principals association and Teachers of Reading. In Gays Mills she was an active member of St. Marys Catholic Church, serving on the parish council, secretary and V.P. of the PCCW; chairperson of the Sacred Worship Committee and as a group leader. During retirement, she was also a president of the Federated Womens Club, and of the Gays Mills Library Board, as well as assisting at the local food pantry. In 1994 she was chosen to represent Gays Mills as Parade Marshall for the Apple Festival. Lois Kettner joined her as Parade Marshall. Preceding her in death were her parents and sisters: Gertrude Allen, Eva Flynn, Marie Ryan, Grace McGinley and Hannah Flesch. Survivors include nieces, nephews, members of the Jay and Lois Kettner family and many friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, October 22, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Marys Catholic Church in Gays Mills. Fr. Zacharie Beya will celebrate the Mass with burial in the St. Phillips Catholic Cemetery at Rolling Ground. A Visitation/Wake will be held on Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Vosseteig Funeral Home, Hwy 131 and Sunset Ridge Ave in Gays Mills. Friends may also call at the church on Thursday one hour prior to Mass. Online condolences may be offered at www.VossFH.com The Vosseteig Funeral Home of Gays Mills is serving the family.