Ruth M. Bushman, age 95, a Manitowoc resident, died peacefully on Thursday, November 28, 2024 at her residence of 60 years with her loving family at her side.
She was born on August 3, 1929 in Manitowoc, daughter of the late Kurt & Mary (Mueller) Kuehn. Ruth was a graduate of Manitowoc Lincoln High School, Class of 1947. She graduated from Holy Family School of Nursing in 1950. On September 8, 1951 she married Oran Bushman at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Manitowoc. He preceded her in death on October 25, 2008. Ruth was employed at Holy Family Hospital for several years as a registered nurse in the orthopedic and nursery departments. Her love of music was evident through her participation in the Manitowoc Symphony Orchestra for 53 years and the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra for 28 years, where she played violin. Ruth was also a longtime member of Wisconsin Right to Life, where she served as past president of the Manitowoc Chapter, and was also a Den Mother with the Boy Scouts and was a Girl Scout leader. Ruth was a past member of the St. Anne Society of St. Boniface Catholic Church, Manitowoc and a current member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Manitowoc.
Ruth loved annual family camping trips to Chute Pond, reading, working on crossword puzzles, playing cards with family and friends, and celebrating family birthdays and holidays with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren (whom she treasured).
Survivors include two sons and one daughter-in-law: Michael Bushman, Manitowoc; Thomas & Vicki Bushman, Two Rivers; three daughters and sons-in-law: Vicki & Grant Houghton, Two Rivers; Tina & Dale Buvid, Monroe; Lisa & Brian Ebelt, Manitowoc; eight grandchildren: Craig Houghton, Two Rivers; Adria & Jeremy Bonk, De Pere; Amy & Wade Piazza, Rochester, MN; Kurt & Alyson Bushman, Manitowoc; Daniel Buvid & Kelly Farrell, Whitefish Bay; Nicholas & Erin Bushman, Sheboygan; Kyle Ebelt, Denver, CO; and Katie & Tyler Shimulunas, Menasha; seven great grandchildren: Deacon Bonk, James and Alexandra Bushman, Logan and Evan Piazza, Sophie Buvid, and Ila. Nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends also survive including dear lifelong friends Elaine Naidl and Gloria Trainor. She was preceded in death by her parents: Kurt & Mary Kuehn; her husband: Oran Bushman; an infant son: Steven Bushman; and five brothers-in-law and four sisters-in-law: Roger Bushman, Kenneth & Jean Bushman, Henry & Eleanore Bushman, Ethel & Ray Mueller, and Audrey & Donald Olson.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, December 7, 2024 at St. Francis of Assisi on Grand (1416 Grand Avenue), Manitowoc. Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial will be the Rev. Doug LeCaptain, with burial at Evergreen Cemetery, Manitowoc.
The family will greet relatives and friends at The Pfeffer Funeral Home, Manitowoc, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 6, 2024. A prayer service will conclude the visitation at 7:00 p.m., led by Deacon Paul Gleichner. Friends may also call Saturday morning at the church from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Colleen Marx, APNP, Dr. Milan Jordan, Holy Family Memorial Hospital 5th Floor Nurses, and the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice Care Team, and for the truly compassionate care given by Deb, Marjean, and Carol from Jay’s Legacy.
The Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Pfeffer Funeral Home, is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com.
