Ruth Ann Paskey

POYNETTE – Ruth Ann Paskey, age 88, Poynette, passed away peacefully August 29, 2025, at Columbia Health Care Center. Ruth was born June 29, 1937, to the late Harold and Emma (Thalacker) Herschleb. Ruth married Elgin Paskey on December 29, 1954.

Ruth embraced the farm life she entered and spent countless hours cooking, cleaning, and preserving foods. Delicious home-cooked meals–generally in quantity with ample leftovers for sharing–were her specialty. If you knew Ruth or were a visitor to the farm, you no doubt were fed by her while enjoying good conversation. She was devoted to her faith, insisting that she had no worries – God would provide. Her love for God was apparent from her years singing in the church choir to tending her beautiful flower gardens. Always upbeat, even during multiple cancer battles, Ruth never complained, always remarking, “It could be worse.”

Ruth loved her family and claimed her most favorite thing in life was being a mother and grandmother. She greeted each grandchild and great-grandchild with joy and appreciation. Her most treasured moments were family gatherings.

Ruth is survived by children Steven (Amy) Paskey and their children Rachel Paskey (Logan Welch), Kimberly (Mike) Manke, and Susan (Jeremy) Reierson; Cindy (Joe) Brady and their children Ben (Lucy Ptak), Nate (Abbey), and Mara (Dustin) Roder; and Linda (Kevin) Williams and their children Aaron, Leah (Alex) Urias Vega, and Amanda (Jeren Glosser); great-grandchildren Haven Halbach; Lillian, Raymond, and Mabel Manke; Atlas and Wilder Brady; and Grant and Calla Roder; her sister-in-law Marilyn Herschleb and other dear friends and relatives.

She is preceded in death by Elgin and by siblings Jean (Midge) Herschleb, Grace (Arnold) McQueen, Duane (Millie) Herschleb, Rich (Doris) Herschleb, and Glenn Herschleb.

Funeral services will be Monday, September 15, at 11 a.m. at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Arlington, with visitation from 9:00 a.m. until time of service. Burial will follow in Zion Lutheran Cemetery. A luncheon will follow the burial.

Special thanks to UW Carbone Cancer Center, Agrace Hospice, and Columbia Health Care Center for uncompromising kindness and compassionate care during Ruth’s long health journey.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Arlington; UW Carbone Cancer Center; or donor’s choice.

Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home, in Poynette, is assisting the family.