Ruth McGrath

Ruth E. McGrath age 80 of New Hampton died Monday, February 25, 2013, at Mercy Medical Center in New Hampton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 1, 2013, at Holy Family Parish - St. Joseph Center with Rev. Mark Osterhaus celebrating the Mass. Musicians for the service will be Michelle Lau and Shawnessey Lau accompanying the Holy Family Resurrection Choir. Shelly Patten will be the lector. Giftbearers will be Olivia Rothmeyer, Jack Patten and Dan Patten Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, New Hampton, with Randy Patten, Matt McGrath, Josh McGrath, Jeremy McGrath, Dustin Franzen, Derek Franzen and Luke Rothmeyer serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Richard Kalkbrenner, Blaine Hageman and Colin Hageman. Friends may greet the family 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 28, 2013 at the Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home in New Hampton where there will be a 6:30 p.m. parish scripture service. Visitation continues an hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Ruth was born April 20, 1932 in Dresden Township near Fredericksburg to Lester and Anna Simmons. She was the youngest of three children. She attended Boyd Country School and later New Hampton High School. During high school, she worked for a short time at Dr. Tunnell’s Optometry in New Hampton. On March 14, 1950, Ruth married Merle McGrath at St. Joseph’s in New Hampton and remained a member of the parish the rest of her life. Merle and Ruth spent 57 years together in New Hampton. They enjoyed several interesting trips throughout the years, but Hawaii was always her favorite. She took great pride in raising her five children and often helped out at McGrath Implement, the family business. Ruth was known for her great cooking and baking. She loved having family and friends visit and share a cup of coffee and often enjoy some fresh cookies or baked goods. Ruth loved the outdoors and spending time tending to her flowers and mowing lawn. On Saturday evenings she looked forward to going to mass at St. Joe’s and out to dinner with a special group of friends. We would like to thank all of our wonderful friends, family members, and neighbors who have been so helpful and caring throughout her battle with lung cancer. A special thanks to Dr. Tracy Mixdorf who was always there to support our family. Ruth is survived by her children, Peggy (Roger) Patten of Zimmerman, MN; Mike of Fleming, CO; Steve (Dee Hageman) of New Hampton; Deb (Denny) Franzen of Waterloo; and Shelly (Steve) Rothmeyer of Johnston; grandchildren, Randy (Shelly) Patten; Matt, Josh (Miranda) and Jeremy (Lacey) McGrath; Dustin (Melissa) and Derek Franzen; Olivia and Luke Rothmeyer; Blaine and Colin Hageman; great grandchildren Jack and Dan Patten; Alex, Lailynn, Tabitha and Kinnick McGrath; brother-in-law Gerald (Rose) McGrath of Wauwatosa, WI; sister-in-laws Mary Jean McGrath of Oregon, WI, and Emma McGrath of Palmdale, CA. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Merle, her parents, father and mother-in-law Dan and Ethel McGrath, one sister, Edith Budweg, one brother, Eldo Simmons, and many brothers and sisters-in-law.