Obit: Tobola, Ruth Marie (1915 - 2016)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Tobola, Reske, Thielke, Sisko, Esperance, Stefanello, Kowalski

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 10/26/2016

Tobola, Ruth Marie (20 October 1915 – 20 October 2016)

Ruth M. Tobola, of Thorp, WI, passed away on her 101st birthday on Thursday, October 20, 2016, at Traditions Assisted Living in Thorp. Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m. on Thursday, October 28, 2016, at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church, in Thorp. Rev. Janusz Kowalski will officiate and burial will follow in New St. Hedwig’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church, on Thursday, from 11 a.m. until time of service.

Ruth Marie Thielke was born on Thursday, October 20, 1915 in Chippewa Falls, Wi, to John and Marie (Reske) Thielke. She was raised and received her education in the Thorp area, graduating from Thorp High School in 1932. She then attended Teachers Normal School for two years and received her teaching certificate in elementary education. Her first teaching assignments was at the Eidsvold School, rural Stanley, WI. Ruth was united in marriage to Leo Tobola on August 15, 1942, in St. Louis, MO. After their marriage, Ruth followed Leo during his WWII military service and later his business ventures, which took them to several cities, until settling in Chippewa Falls in 1954. She then was a stay at home mother, raising their daughter, Darlene. She later worked at UW-Eau Claire in the Registration Office, retiring in 1977. Ruth and Leo spent the next several years wintering in Florida and traveling extensively.

Ruth was a very accomplished pianist with a great love of music. She was a member of St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church and its PCCW, and she volunteered in the library at Thorp Catholic School for many years.

She is survived by her daughter, Darlene (Dennis) Sisko of Hartland, WI; three grandchildren: Christopher Sisko of Alexandria, VA, Ruth (Jay) Esperance of Rapid City, SD, Brandon (Crystal) Sisko of Queen Creek, AZ; one great grandson, Hayden Sisko of Queen Creek, AZ; and one step-great-grandson, Anthony Stefanello of Queen Creek, AZ; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Leo, on February 20, 1989.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to the Thorp Catholic School at 411 E. School Street, Thorp, WI, 54771.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.  Thorp Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.