Moll, Ruth Ann

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 5813
• Obituary: 24 Jul 2008; Appleton Post Crescent

Notes:

Obituary:
Dr. Ruth Ann Willmington, age 71, of Ripon, died peacefully on Wednesday, July 23, 2008, at her home surrounded by her family. In 2003, she received an autologous stem cell transplant and had a six year battle with multiple myeloma.
She was born February 4, 1937, in Sheboygan, WI, the daughter of Arthur and Dorothy Henrich Moll. On August 7, 1982, she was united in marriage to Dr. S. Clay Willmington at Our Saviours Lutheran Church in Neenah. She was formerly married to Ronald W. Guenther.
Dr. Willmington attended grade school in the one room Liberty School in Sheboygan County and graduated from Random Lake High School. She completed her Registered Nurse Diploma at Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing in Milwaukee. After practicing nursing in area hospitals for a number of years, she received her Bachelors Degree in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. She attained a Masters Degree in Medical-Surgical Nursing and her Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She worked as a nurse educator at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Marian College of Fond du Lac, Fresno State University-California and Lenoir Rhyne College of Hickory, NC. She served as chairperson of the nursing programs at Marian College and Fresno State. Dr. Willmington was a member of several national and state professional nursing organizations and assisted nursing programs in achieving and maintaining national accreditation. She returned to Wisconsin in 2002 after retirement. She enjoyed knitting during her last years and taught knitting to others at the Berlin Senior Center. Ruth was a member of Grace English Lutheran Church in Berlin, where she participated in weekly Bible study, Patience Circle, quilt making, and knitting baby sweaters and prayer shawls for those in need.
She is survived by her husband, Dr. S. Clay Willmington; five children: Susan M. (Douglas) Coatney of Cupertino, CA; Karen R. (David) Johnson of Appleton; Kurt Guenther of Fernandina Beach, FL; Karl A. (Sarah) Guenther of Berlin, WI; Sarah A. (Scott) Ponath of Menomonee Falls, WI; two step-children: Laurie (Mick) Loughrin of Boulder, CO; and Ross J. (Gerri) Willmington of Appleton, WI; six grandchildren: Colin and Kyle Johnson of Appleton; Kacey, Erika and Adrienne Guenther of Fernandina Beach, FL; and Alesha Guenther of Berlin, WI; one very special step-grandchild, Felicia Willmington of Wisconsin Rapids, WI. She is also survived by two sisters: Lorna M. (William) Wulff of Cedar Grove, WI; and Dolly K. Moll of Phoenix, AZ; one brother, Pastor Eugene A. (Gladys) Moll of Russellville, MO; nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Funeral services for Dr. Ruth Willmington will be held on Saturday, July 26, at 11 a.m. at Grace English Lutheran Church in Berlin (across from the hospital) with The Rev. David Sielaff officiating. Interment will be at 3 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Random Lake, WI. Friends and relatives of Ruth may call on Friday, July 25, from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Barbola Funeral Chapel in Berlin, and also on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of services at the church.
Memorials may be directed in her name to the International Myeloma Foundation, the University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Marian College Nursing Division, Grace English Lutheran Church, or St. Paul Lutheran Church, or a charity of choice.
Dr. Willmington's family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Walter Longo and the staff at University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center and Stem Cell Transplant Unit in Madison, Dr. Anthony Phillips and the Martha Siekman Cancer Center in Appleton, Dr. Amin Lakhdhir and the Ripon Medical Center, Dr. Chuck Koval and the members of the Madison Multiple Myeloma Support Group, and others who provided special treatment and care over these past years.
Barbola Funeral Chapel
282 E. Marquette St.
Berlin 920-361-2755
www.barbolafuneralchapel.com

Ruth married Guenther, Ronald W. [Group Sheet]

Ruth married Wilmington, Dr. S. Clay [Group Sheet]