Ruth Elizabeth King, age 89, was called Home in the early morning of New Year's Day. Ruth was born at her grandparents’ home in De Pere to Wilton Renard, Sr. and Ruth (Manders) Renard on December 3, 1928. She was the eldest of five Renard children and enjoyed her role as big sister to Elsie, Junie, JoAnn and Gary.

Her family moved to their own home in east Green Bay when Ruth was five, and she resided on the east side for all the years to follow. Ruth attended Irwin School, Bay View Elementary, Washington Jr. High, and East High School. Ruth married Harold King in 1952 and they enjoyed 49 years together until he preceded her in death in 2001. Ruth began working as a telephone operator after high school , took time off to raise her family, and returned to “Ma Bell” for seventeen more years, retiring in 1985.

Ruth loved to travel with Harry, making many trips to Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon and Texas to visit family and friends. She loved visiting Vegas with daughter, Lynne, for a bowling tournament, traveling to the NCAA Final Four in Kansas City with son, Dan, and fell in love with Ireland on an Elderhostel trip with her dear Aunt Odeal. Every summer for the past 65 years she vacationed at Sand Bay Beach Resort with family and friends, treasuring sunny beach days and fun at the campfire. Rick and Dan’s children and grandchildren have great Sand Bay memories of Great Grandma overseeing beach games. She loved going up north to Paul’s land, checking out his horses and dogs at play. Ruth was an avid sports fan, cheering for the Badgers, Packers, East High, and any team that her children, grandchildren, or great grandchildren played for.

Ruth is survived by her brothers and sister: Wilton Renard, Jr. (Claudette); JoAnn Herman;
and Gary Renard (Mary Ann), as well as four children: Rick (Mary), Lynne Murphy (Ed), Paul (Amy) , and Dan. She also enjoyed her ten grandchildren: Josh (Jill), Andy(Wendy), Larry, Zachary (Ann), Matthew, Nathan (Cassie), Libbi, Alex (Liz), Joey, and Kyle. Ruth also is survived by 14 great grandchildren and 25 nieces and nephews.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth and Wilton Renard, Sr.; sister, Elsie Herman;
husband, Harold and his parents, Captain Elwood and Anna King; grandparents, Harry and Elizabeth Manders and Jules and Elsie Renard; brothers and sisters-in law: Lloyd Herman, Corky Herman, Janis and Ray Peterson, Ken and Dody King.

Visitation will be held at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions (340 S. Monroe Ave., Green Bay), Thursday, January 4, 2018 from 5 to 7 PM. A prayer service will conclude the visitation. Visitation will continue at First Presbyterian Church (200 S. Ashland Ave., Green Bay), Friday, January 5, 2018 from 9:45 to 10:45 AM. A funeral service will follow at 11 AM. Entombment will be in Shrine of the Good Shepherd Mausoleum.

Ruth and her family will be forever grateful to her son, Dan, who relocated to Green Bay after retirement to care for Ruth and to allow Ruth to remain in her home for many years. We are also grateful to Dr.Cutler and the Bellin Cancer Team for supporting Ruth through the challenges of MDS Bone Marrow Disease and for Dr. Bede, Dr. Schwiesow, and Dr. Hejny for their caring medical guidance throughout the years. Ruth and her family also want to thank Unity Hospice for the outstanding care they received and their kind assistance as Ruth made her journey to Heaven.

“To share a memory of Ruth or leave a special message for her family, please click the Share Memories button above.”