Ruth Mae Jones

Ruth Mae (Polzin) Jones, 98, of Waterford, WI, passed peacefully on the morning of August 12, 2025, after a life lived richly in service and kindness. Known for her unwavering faith as a devout Catholic, Ruth was a strong matriarch and beacon of light in her family.

She was born in Wausau, WI on the bright spring day of April 21, 1927 to Albert and Mary (Marciniak) Polzin. Ruth grew up in Mosinee, WI with her beloved parents and older brother Charles, near her dear cousins Jean and Dottie. There she attended Catholic grade school and graduated from Mosinee H.S. before following Charles to Milwaukee. She studied Chemistry, English, and Latin at Mount Mary College with the goal of becoming a teacher, and cheered on her brother’s basketball games at Marquette. During this time she took a year off of school to help her father after the loss of her mother, a tragedy that would strengthen her resilience and faith.

After graduation, Ruth taught English and Latin at various central and southeastern Wisconsin schools. She also had the opportunity to travel to Europe with friends, which was highlighted by sightseeing and drinking wine on the banks of the Rhine River in Germany. Later in life, she continued to serve as a substitute teacher and tutor. Her dedication to education and desire to teach the younger generations epitomized her patient nature and love of learning.

Ruth claimed that she thought she would end up “an old maid,” until she was swept off her feet by a handsome Nebraska farm boy-turned-WW2 soldier-turned-math teacher-turned- salesman, Robert “Bob” Anthony Jones, at a party with his sister Monie. One day when he came to pick her up for a date, she saw him through the window looking up at her with his deep blue eyes and exclaimed, “Is he here for ME?!” She could hardly believe it! Excited to start their new lives together, the two were married on October 21, 1961 at St. Therese Congregation in Milwaukee, WI.

Soon after, they welcomed their son, Robert Joseph (b. 1965), and daughter, Mary Therese (b. 1967), and settled into a cozy ranch home on a quiet cul-de-sac in Wauwatosa, WI. Their children meant the world to them, and they made many happy memories with neighborhood friends and the St. Mary’s Church community. Bob, Ruth, and the kids took vacations to central WI, hometown NE, and to the coasts of Louisiana, Oregon, and New York, visiting family and friends.

It was clear that Ruth treasured her time with her nine grandkids, with a neverending supply of classic cartoons, mint chip ice cream and Twizzler nibs, and walks to the park. She made many trips to visit her daughter Mary and family as they moved from WA to TX, CO, and lastly KS, creating fun memories along the way. As they grew older, she enjoyed sharing glasses of wine and watching Downton Abbey with her local granddaughters, the occasional Bloody Mary with her grandson on Sundays after Mass, and playing cards when the whole group was over.

Ruth had many hobbies, including reading (ignore the romance novels piled up for kindling by the fireplace, she’d tell you they’re all garbage!), needlepointing, knitting, and sewing (she was a pro at making fancy doll dresses for her granddaughters), playing bridge and golfing with friends, and thrifting for her “junque” collection down at St. Mary’s thrift shop or local antique stores. She and Bob also enjoyed traveling, with memorable trips to Ireland to kiss the Blarney Stone, through Spain to visit religious and historical sites like the Alhambra, and on an Alaskan cruise to witness the great beauty of nature.

Everyone who knew Ruth knew how much she valued her faith. She was an active member of St. Mary’s Parish in Elm Grove, devoting much of her time and energy to the Christian Mothers. After Bob’s death in 2007, she moved to Waterford to be near her son’s family and attended St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, praying routinely at Adoration.

Ruth will be remembered for her generous spirit and the way that she loved and taught those around her. We’ll always imagine her flickering the porch lights when we pulled away from her Wauwatosa home, seeing us on our way. We couldn’t have asked for a better mother, grandmother, aunt, or friend, and will miss her gleaming smile every day. Ruth’s memory lives on in the hearts of all those who loved her.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Robert A. Jones; parents, Albert and Mary (Marciniak) Polzin; parent-in-laws, Patrick (Rose) Jones; brother and sister-in-law, Charles (Elizabeth) Polzin; granddaughter, Olivia Jones; several sibling-in-laws; her best friend and cousin, Jean Urmanski; and lifelong friends, Dee Torphy, Joan Richter, and Teri Connolly. She is survived by her two children and their spouses, Robert (Lisa) Jones, and Mary (Andrew) Myers; nine grandchildren and their spouses, Alexandra (Ian) Seybold, Aaron (Melanie) Jones, Moira (Carl) Fisher, Noah Myers, Luke (Megan) Jones, Liam Myers, Monica Jones, Lily Myers, and Jonah Myers; her soon-to-be-four great-grandchildren, Peter and Thomas Fisher, and Millie and baby Jones; her nearby nephew and niece-in-law, Charles (Sue) Polzin; sister-in-law and spouse, Monica (Paul) Geissler; many nieces/nephews and great nieces/nephews; and lifelong friend, Ellie Fischer.

Visitation will begin at 9:00am and the funeral mass will be held at 10:30am on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Waterford, WI followed by lunch at The Cotton Exchange, Patch Room. The burial will be on Monday, August 25, 2025 at St. Paul Catholic Cemetery in Mosinee, WI. Daisies were her favorite flower, and donations to the Franciscan Missionaries or the Paralyzed Veterans of America would be greatly appreciated, as Ruth was a benevolent person always giving to these charities and more.

A special thank you to Ruth’s favorite caretakers, Joan and Audrey, as well as the staff at Waterford Senior Living and Amedisys Hospice Care, for their support and care over the past few years.

Mealy-Stencel Funeral Home is proudly serving the Jones family.

• Mealy-Stencel Funeral Home
• 225 W. Main Street Waterford, WI 53185
• 262-534-2233
• www.stencelfh.com