Ruth Louise Malburg Munkwitz

Ruth Louise Malburg Munkwitz, age 95, passed away Friday, December 8, 2023.  Ruth was born in Ridgway, PA to Elder John Malburg and Louise Caroline Malburg on August 12, 1928.  

She graduated from Eastern High School in Washington D.C. in 1947.  During her summers, she was a counselor at two Jewish private summer camps: Camp Seneca in Pawling, NY and Camp Red Wing, NY.  While in D.C., she was elected the youngest Honored Queen of the Job’s Daughters, Bethel #5 (a Masonic Order).  

In 1951 she earned a B.S. degree from the University of Maryland.  In 1956 she earned a M.S. degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Physical Education and was awarded recognition into Pi Lambda Theta, an International Honor Society and Professional Association for Educators. 

Ruth taught at the University of Delaware, in Newark Delaware; Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana and Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan.  

Ruth was always interested in education.  She was a representative on school committees in Madison, including a member of Mayor Dyke’s Educational Task Force in 1972.  She was an Educational Assistant at Schenk Middle School and West High School in Madison, Wisconsin for many years. 

Ruth was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church where she was a communion deacon. She was a graduate of the Bethel Bible Series and also taught the Bethel Bible Series, along with other church activities. 

In her free time, Ruth enjoyed national and international travel, reading, and watching the Milwaukee Brewers, Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers. 

Ruth married William Munkwitz in 1959 at Bethel Lutheran Church.They are survived by their three children: Sharon Munkwitz of Plymouth, MN; James (Susan) Munkwitz of Hartford, WI and their sons, Kevin Munkwitz of Stevens Point, WI and Matthew Munkwitz of Platteville, WI; David (Jayne) Munkwitz of New Auburn, WI, and their children, Jared Mayer (Allie Swenson) of Altoona, WI and Jenna Mayer (Brandon Turner) of Altoona, WI and their children, Carson and Owen Turner; also survived by George Munkwitz of Sauk City, WI, Ruth’s brother in-law.  

She was preceded in death by William Munkwitz, Elder and Louise Malburg, and Richard and Miriam Munkwitz.  

Funeral services will be at Saving Grace Lutheran Church, 3735 Jeffers Rd, Eau Claire, WI 54703 on January 20, 2024 at 11 AM and Bethel Lutheran Church, 312 Wisconsin Ave, Madison, WI 53703 on January 27, 2024 at 11 AM.  Donations to Bethel Lutheran Church. 

Internment at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.