Gutknecht, Ruth Marie, born into Eternal Life March 15, 2014, at the age of 96. Born May 17, 1917, to Henry and Marie (nee Kerler) Kroening. She is survived by her children; William (Grams), Jean Helmle, and Bonnie Stanislawski, her grandchildren; William (Lisa) and Dennis (Laura) Gutknecht, Jamye (Greg) Gould, Jody (Paul) Keeku, and John (Elizabeth) and Callie Stanislawski, her great-grandchildren; Aaron and Benjamin Gutknecht, Emily and Owen Gould, Dean and Graham Gutknecht, and Austin, Shelby, and Paulie Keeku. In addition to her husband, Fred "Fritz", she was preceded in death by a son, Robert and a son-in-law, Howard Helmle. Ruth was raised on the family farm in Greenfield, WI. Always hard working, she was a Gold Medal Student at Bay View High School where she was also editor of the newspaper, the Oracle. A long-time 4-H leader, she was president of the Milwaukee county 4-H council in the 1930's. She graduated from State Teachers College and taught grades 1-4 at Jefferson Grade School from 1936 to 1941. She married Fritz Gutknecht on June 14, 1941. After living in Franksville, WI, for a time, she and Fritz took over running the Kerler farm in Greenfield from 1942 to 1952, where they had three children, Billy, Jeannie and Bobby. They built their own home on a corner of Grandpa Kroening's farm in 1952 after Fritz gave up farming for construction. Ruth suffered one of her greatest losses with the death of Bobby in 1954. A fourth child, Bonnie, was born in 1955. Ruth went back to college at UWM part time and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Education while doing substitute teaching. She then taught full time in the Whitnall area for 19 years. Ruth was a lifetime member of Emanuel United Church of Christ in Hales Corners, where she served in many ways including long time Sunday school teacher and president of the Women's Guild for 18 years. Her most gratifying endeavor was designing and facilitating the construction of Emanuel's 8 seasonal banners. Ruth and Fritz were known for their hospitality and she was famous for her German potato salad and schaum torte. A visitation will be held at the funeral home, Thursday, March 20, from 5 to 8 PM. Funeral service at Emanuel UCC Church, 10627 W. Forest Home Ave, Hales Corners, on Friday at 10:30 (visitation 1 hour prior to service at church) Interment Emanuel Cemetery.Cemetery:Emanuel CemeteryService:Emanuel UCC Church, 10627 W. Forest Home Ave, Hales CornersVisitation:Emanuel UCC Church, 10627 W. Forest Home Ave, Hales Corners