Ruth Odekirk

Ruth E. (List) Odekirk, age 97, was called to her heavenly home on Tuesday, April 4, 2023
surrounded by her loving family at Songbird Pond Assisted Living in Plymouth, WI, where she
had resided for the past 2 years.
She was born on July 10, 1925 in Pound, WI , the daughter of the late Henry and Ella (Risner)
Meyers. She attended a one-room country school for eight years and received her GED from
LTC in 1991 at the age of 65.
On October 18, 1947 she married Edward List at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Marinette
County. They made their home in Sheboygan before he preceded her in death on December 4,
1977. On November 27, 1981 she married Harold Odekirk at St. John’s Lutheran Church in
Plymouth and they made their home in Plymouth. He preceded her in death on August 28, 1989.
Ruth’s full time job when her children were growing up was being a Mom. She worked various
part time jobs through the years, but found her calling when she went to work for Prigge’s
Discovery Coach Tours as a tour escort. She loved traveling and enjoyed the many friendships
that were made during those 20+ years. More recently she had been involved with volunteer work
at the Sheboygan County Courthouse and the Stephanie H. Weill Center. For many years Ruth
enjoyed Tai Chi water classes at the YMCA and grew close to the friends she made there. She
also enjoyed dancing, sewing, occasional trips to the casino, going to the Senior Center and
cheering for the Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers. More than anything Ruth loved her
family. She never missed a birthday, anniversary, special occasion or holiday. When she was no
longer able to attend family celebrations she used technology to connect with family and friends.
She loved sending and receiving emails and viewing pictures on her iPad, but she was also known
to send selfies and texts from her iPhone.
She was a long-time member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Plymouth.
Survivors include her 3 children: Dennis (Waltraut) List of Sheboygan Falls, Karen (Danny)
Weber of Plymouth, and Brian List of Sheboygan, 8 grandchildren: Michelle (Chad) Schoen,
Stacy (Paul) Gloede, Kim (Greg) Hau, Danny (Sara) Weber Jr., Katie (Chad) Smith, Kristy
(Justin) Hopkins, Brian (Jennifer) List Jr., and Amy (Jason) Graf, 12 great grandchildren: Taylor
and Avery Hau, Quinn and Kyla Weber, Ava Smith, Jaycie, Krissah, Karli, and Jovey Hopkins,
Laurynn, Leah, and Anna List. Also surviving is her sister, LaVerne (Robert) Rouse, and her
brother, Ronald (Joanne) Meyers all of Peshtigo. She is further survived by 7 step-children:
Randy (Sharon) Odekirk of Plymouth, Floyd Odekirk of Plymouth, Louella (Robert) Heitman of
Hartford, DeDa (Dan) Schuh of Saukville, Anita (Leon) Kraus of Kewaskum, Ally Odekirk (Jim
Nigh) of Greenbush, and Brian Odekirk of Sheboygan Falls, 16 step-grandchildren, 26 step-great
grandchildren, 1 step-great-great grandchild as well as many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husbands and parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter-in-law Jayne
List, sisters-in-law, Ladonna List, Phil Powers, Alice List, Bette Westman, Marcie Odekirk, and
Gloria Denzin, brothers-in-law: Joseph List, George Powers, Richard List, Robert Westman,
Ellsworth Zeitler, Delmar Odekirk, and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday (April 11, 2023) at St. John Lutheran Church in
Plymouth. Visitation will take place from 9:00-11:00am, with a service to follow at 11:00am.
Rev. John Schultz, Pastor of the Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Lutheran Cemetery in
Sheboygan.
In lieu of flowers a memorial fund is being established in Ruth’s name.
The family would like to send special thanks to the caregivers at Songbird Pond and Sharon S.
Richardson Community Hospice for their care and compassion, and to Pastor John Schultz and
Pastor Andrew Thompson for their visits and to Kendra Ford for singing so beautifully.
The Suchon Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Plymouth is assisting the family. For
online condolences, please visit www.suchonfh.com.