Ruth Winn

MADISON- Our Aunt Ruth was born in Dresden, Germany in 1916. Her mother died when Ruth was 3 years old and she faced multiple hardships growing up in different places and homes. She grew very close to her siblings Wolfgang, Peter, Horst, Carl and Ingeborg. She graduated from the Luisenstift Academy in Dresden and went on to study nursing at the University of Erfurt. She treated both civilians and soldiers during WWII. Many of her friends and relatives perished during the war, including her brothers Horst and Carl. She worked in an operating room that dealt with many of the war's most gruesome injuries, week after week of mutilations, amputations, and death. To escape this onslaught she returned to school, studying pediatric nursing in Danzig (now Gdansk). With this training, she went on to work in a children's hospital in Nazi occupied Czechoslovakia, running a ward with 30 children under one year old. In 1944 with Allied forces closing in on their location she was ordered back to Germany. The short train trip took two full weeks due to multiple daily aircraft attacks. In Germany she was ordered to Erfurt where she ran and lived in a 60 patient diphtheria ward. This hospital was bombed, destroying the heating plant and blowing out the windows. Without heat or hot water and little or no food or supplies, Ruth continued to care for and protect her patients, raising rabbits to supplement their meager rations. During this period she became infected with diphtheria multiple times, leading to myocarditis that injured her for life. The years immediately after the war were especially hard in Germany. Ruth survived working odd jobs and clandestinely crossed the guarded border from Allied to Russian zones multiple times. As conditions in Europe improved, Ruth again found nursing jobs in Switzerland and West Germany. In 1955 Ruth immigrated to the US where she briefly made her living as a housekeeper, but soon returned to nursing. She worked at Madison's Methodist Hospital for six years, St. Mary's Hospital for eight years, and then the Jackson Clinic. After retirement Ruth volunteered at Methodist Hospital and then Meriter Hospital. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church for over 50 years. In each case she formed many life-long friendships. Ruth was married to Wallace Winn for 38 years.
Ruth was the last of her generation in our family. She is survived by nieces and nephews Henrik (Kathy), Johanna (Alta), Loon (Tracie), Elisabeth (John), Christine (Tom) and more in Germany; children by marriage Ann (Ed) and Marsha; grandchildren Georgia, Steven, Gary and great grandchildren in Brookfield and Los Angeles; as well as her choice daughters Dorothy, Linda, Karin and chosen granddaughter Heidi. She loved them all dearly and they in turn spoiled her with kindness and understanding. She survived and thrived through challenges our generation can scarcely imagine. We were all very fortunate to be in Ruth's life. She had great strength that she consistently used in service to others. Throughout her life Ruth found joy in gardening, and her ornamental gardens were a delight of the neighborhood. After moving to Capitol Lakes Retirement Community in 1997, Ruth took care of all inside plants, and planted many gardens outside. Her cat Teddy was a dear companion for many years.
We sincerely thank the staff of Capitol Lakes Terraces and Agrace Hospice Care, who made Ruth's last years friendly and comfortable. We invite Ruth's friends and family to join in a celebration of her life to be held on Ruth's 100th birthday, 1:00 PM Monday, June 13, 2016 in the Grand Hall of Capitol Lakes, 333 W. Main Street in Madison. A time of sharing memories will be included in the celebration. Your participation is encouraged.
Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church or the Capitol Lakes Foundation Charitable Fund.

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