Ruth M. Kerska

Ruth Mary Kerska, 97, of La Crosse, passed away at Mayo Clinic Health System, La Crosse, Friday, October 6, 2023.  She was born in La Crosse on October 18, 1925, to Wenzel and Mae (Raper) Kerska.

Ruth enjoyed working for the Trane Company, retiring in 1987 after 30 years.  She loved going for walks, traveling and spending time with family.  She was scrapbooking way before it was a thing by documenting every occasion with pictures, memorabilia and notes to explain it all.  Ruth was proud of her Irish Heritage and loved being part of The Greater La Crosse Area Shamrock Club where she was the 2003 Irish Rose.

She is survived by her sister, Evelyn Hammes; two nieces, Mary (Thomas) Severson of West Salem and Amy Hammes of La Crosse; four nephews, Jeffery (Cindy) of Pocatello, Idaho, A. Bradley (Kim) of Jenison, Michigan, Paul (Heidi) of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin and Timothy (Kris) of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin; 15 great nieces and nephews: Aaron, Andrew, Rachel, Miriam, Grace, Sarah, Megan, Jesse, Liv, Joseph, Matthew, Ethan, Rebecca, Carter and Eli; 6 great great niece and nephews: Noah, Liam, Grayson, Liam, Jack and Maxine; and by her very special friend, Carol Kasten.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Peter and Paul; her brother-in-law, Arthur Hammes; stepfather, Alex Bonk; grandparents and many aunts and uncles.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 13, 2023, in the Marian Chapel at St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral, 530 Main St., La Crosse.  Msgr. Richard Gilles will officiate with burial to take place in the St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery, Middle Ridge, Wisconsin.  Family and Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass in the church on Friday.

The family would like to thank the Palliative Care team and the Ninth Floor staff at Mayo Clinic Health System for their kindness in caring for Ruth and for the compassion they showed to the family; and to her Hearten House II family who made a home for her the past three years – she was very happy living there.

Ruth had strong faith -- we will miss her -- may she rest in peace.