Ruth L. McKay died on November 6, 2018 at Sheboygan Senior Community Center.
She was born on June 20, 1931 at Beloit Memorial Hospital to Donovan and Viola (Gales) Cary.
She graduated from Beloit High School in 1949. Ruth married Eugene Winters in June of 1949.
They resided in Beloit and later near Madison with their children Tom, Joan, Jan and Kim.
Following her marriage to J. Curtis McKay on September 25, 1965, Ruth and her children moved to
Cedarburg. After raising her family, Ruth and Curtis relocated in 1980 to Sheboygan, her home for the
last 38 years.
Throughout her adult life, Ruth was actively engaged in the Republican Party of Wisconsin. She served as
chair of 9 th Congressional District and was delegate to the 1972 and 1976 Republican national
conventions. She was a docent at the John Michael Kohler Art Center and served on the board of the
Weill Center for the Performing Arts, both in Sheboygan. She maintained an abiding interest in current
events, especially political news and the fortunes of Wisconsin’s sports teams. In addition to her
sedentary passions for newspapers and crossword puzzles, Ruth learned to fly an airplane at age 50.
Ruth is survived by four children: Thomas (Ellen) McKay, Thiensville, WI; Joan Winters, New York, NY:
Janet (William) Haupt, Lodi, WI; Kimberly (John) Esche, Kohler, WI. She is further survived by 5
grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and 2 siblings: Margaret (Richard) Hansen of Beloit, and Roger
Cary of Mount Holly, NC. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Richard, and her
husband J. Curtis McKay.
A Memorial Service will take place on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at 1:00 PM at First United Lutheran
Church, 2401 Kohler Memorial Dr., with Pastor Todd Smith officiating. A private burial has taken place
at Woodland Cemetery. Relatives and friends may visit with the family on Saturday, November 10, 2018
from 11:30 AM until the time of service at the CHURCH.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Salvation Army, John Michael Kohler Art Center, or
Sailing Education Association of Sheboygan (SEAS) in Ruth’s name.
Please visit our website to leave your condolences for the family www.zimmerfuneralhome.com
