Ruth M. De Forest

November 2, 1924 - February 28, 2019

Ruth M. De Forest, age 94, passed away peacefully Thursday. February 28, 2019 at The Bay at North Ridge Health and Rehabilitation Center in Manitowoc, WI. Ruth was born to Frank and Mary Sosoka on November 2nd, 1924 in Slatington, Pennsylvania, where she grew up and graduated high school. Ruth was very athletic, and loved to swim, ice skate and dance. She also loved music and celebrated it all her life. After school, she attended business college and acquired skills that she would make good use of throughout her long life. Ruth's first job was at the office at the Lehigh Valley railroad in far eastern PA. where her father was also a railroad engineer. Every day she would take the train to work and back, when trains were very popular, and she was able to ride for free. She and her mother would often take trips to New York city, about 80 miles away. In 1958, Ruth married Steve De Forest. For the next 45 years she helped him in various businesses they owned and operated, across the country. Together they had the opportunities to live in many different places and to travel to many more, San Jose, CA; Des Moines, IA; Doylestown, PA to name only a few, and ending in Menomonie, WI in June 2000. Ruth was an avid animal lover. She loved to see wild animals come to the house, and to watch all the colorful birds at the feeder. In 1976, Ruth's life was forever changed when she became a born again believer in Jesus Christ. Ruth is survived by her sister Jean, her three children, Donna, Cathy and son Chris, two grandchildren, Lisa and Sara, two great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. Preceded in death is her husband Steve and siblings, Shirley, Arlene and Richard. Services will be at the Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie, WI on Wed. March 6. The visitation will be at 1:00 p.m. with services at 2:00 p.m., refreshments to follow. There will be a separate visitation on Tues. the night before from 4: 00 p.m. to 6: 00 p.m.