Marie Ring

Marie (Reichel) Ring a resident at St. Otto's Care Center died peacefully on July 2, 2008 at the age of 108. Funeral services will be held at Nathaniel Lutheran Church, Bruce, WI on July 14, at 1:00 P.M. with Pastor Sturgis officiating. Burial will be at the Bruce Cemetery. Marie was born in a Volga German colony in Oleshna, Russia on Oct 13, 1900 to David and Catherine Reichel. Her family immigrated to the U.S. on Nov. 22, 1906 landing in Galveston TX. Her family lived in Colorado, Oklahoma and Kansas before settling in Bruce, WI. Marie married George Ring in Fon Du Lac, WI on April 11, 1936. The couple moved to a farm outside of Bruce, WI where they had 2 children, Dee and Dennis Ring. Following George's death in 1962, Marie moved to Minnesota to be near her daughter and to work. Years later she returned to Bruce and lived in an apartment above the Bruce Post Office, and senior housing at Parkside also in Bruce until moving into a nursing home in Little Falls, MN in 2001. Marie obtained her U.S. citizenship at the age of 106, she was the second oldest person in U.S history to become a naturalized citizen; it was a proud day for her and her family. In earlier years Marie wanted to become a nurse, she was a devote Missouri Synod Lutheran and enjoyed crocheting, listening to current events, Christian music and was an avid walker. Marie loved traveling, visiting the ocean and remained lively, determined and active until losing her sight and hearing in her later years. Marie is survived by her daughter Dee (Jerry Smith) of Little Falls MN. 6 grandchildren: Kelly Donovan, Jody Scott-Olson, Tracy (Paul) Serreyn, Kevin, Jerry & Scott Ring. She also had 8 Great Grandchildren. Marie was preceded in death by her husband George in June 1962, her son Dennis in Oct. 1985 and 10 brothers and sisters.