Ruth A. Carlin

PORTAGE/PARDEEVILLE -- Ruth Ann (Vrbsky) Carlin, of Portage/Pardeeville, age 51, passed away on Friday April 11, 2014 at UW Hospital after a long, courageous battle against cancer.

Ruth was born on September 16, 1962 in Madison to Harold and Corinne Vrbsky.  She graduated from Pardeeville High School in 1980 and began her nursing career working at the Columbia County Health Care Center in Wyocena at age 17.  She spent nearly 35 years in the healthcare field, and most recently worked at Divine Savior Hospital until she retired on February 28, 2014.

Ruth was united in marriage to John J. Carlin on February 14, 2002 in Montello.  John and Ruth enjoyed camping, sitting by the campfire, watching the Badgers and Packers, and just having a good time together with friends and family. Ruth enjoyed crocheting and made many beautiful afghans.  She was also known to crochet baby gifts such as sweaters, hats and booties. Ruth also loved to spend time with her cat, Pooky, who she cherished so much.

Ruth was an inspiration to all who knew her.  She faced her illness head on, with strength and positivity.  She will always be remembered as a fighter and a hero.

Ruth is survived by her loving husband John Carlin; step-daughter Megan Carlin (Forrest Hillebrandt); mother Corinne Vrbsky; sisters Bobbie (John) Preston and Becky McBride; nieces and nephews, Devin (Nate) Sween, Kelsey Mullis, Amanda (Pete) Dicken, Joe (Baylee) Mullis, Adam Vrbsky(Godson) and Cori McBride; Goddaughter Sydney Sween; mother-in-law Verona Gray; brothers/sisters-in-law Gary (Joanne) Hendrickson, Gail (Ron) Thurley, Judy (Bill) Haase, Bill (Mary) Hendrickson, Toni (Joe) Busha, Roger (Debbie) Carlin, Jeanne (Greg) Winchell, Tim Carlin, Cinde (Dan) Killoran, Jimmy Carlin and Susie (Dennis) Stearns; several other nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, family members and dear friends.

She is preceded in death by her father, Harold Vrbsky; grandparents Casper and Beulah Fosshage and Joseph and Emma Vrbsky; cousins Roger Stowell and Scott Fosshage; uncle and aunts, Virgil Vrbsky, Gladys McLees and Dorothy Stowell.

The family would like to send a heartfelt thank you to the staff at UW Hospital for all of their care and support for Ruth.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family or donations can be made to the UW Carbone Cancer Center in Ruth’s name.

Visitation will be held at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage on Saturday, April 19th from 3:00pm-5:00pm.  A Memorial Service will follow the visitation at 5:00 p.m. with Rev. Dick Inglett officiating.