Mrs. Ruth Zachman, formerly of Cedar Grove and New Orleans, passed away at the home of her daughter in New Holstein on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. She was 88 years old.

Ruth was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on December 22, 1934, one of six daughters born to William and Anna Hipler Bird. Following high school Ruth worked at a bank in New Orleans. She met her future husband while he was on a blind date with her girlfriend. He was in the US Navy, stationed in Pensacola, FL. The couple married 10 months later.

Ruth was united in marriage with Thomas P. Zachman in New Orleans on May 14, 1955. After Tom left the Navy, the couple moved to Wisconsin and settled near Tom's family in Milwaukee.

In 1976 the couple bought the hardware store in Cedar Grove and relocated their family of four children. Tom preceded Ruth in death in 1980. In 1983, Ruth sold the store and moved south to New Orleans in 1985. She returned to Cedar Grove in 2017, and moved with her daughter to New Holstein in 2019.

Ruth was an avid daytime television fan, and was a faithful follower of the soap operas. She was a loving and generous woman who not only raised her children, grandchildren, and many of her great-grandchildren, but also raised many of her sisters' children as well. Her sister Shirley was Ruth's "partner in crime" and the two of them always had an adventure of one sort or another planned… many of which included stops at a casino.

Those left to cherish her memory include her sons Thomas (Jackie) Zachman, Jr. of San Tan Valley, AZ, James (Maria) Zachman of Cedar Grove and John (Denise) Zachman of Amherst, daughter Patricia Zachman of New Holstein, 23 grandchildren, and 32 great-grandchildren (with one due to arrive in October). She is further survived by 3 great-great-grandchildren (with one due to arrive in December), sisters Helen (Dominic) Boscareno and Shirley (the late Robert) Ural, brother-in-law Robert (Judy) Zachman, numerous nieces and nephews, other family and friends, and her faithful canine companion, Gomez.

Ruth is preceded in death by her husband Thomas, sisters Margaret (the late Charles) Gravois, Claire (the late John) Gioe, and Yvonne (the late Henry) Martinez, parents William and Anna Bird, parents-in-law Felix & Margaret Zachman, and brothers- and sisters-in-law Donald (the late Peggy) Zachman and Lorna (the late Robert) Reinke.

Funeral Services will be held at 12 noon on Tuesday, July 18th, at the Eernisse Funeral Home in Belgium (171 N. Royal Ave.). Father Michael Barrett will preside. Ruth be laid to rest beside her husband in St. Mary Parish Cemetery immediately following the service. The family will receive visitors at the Funeral Home on Tuesday from 11AM until services begin at 12 noon.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Sharon S. Richardson Hospice, especially Shannon W. (RNCM) and Christina (CNA) and close family friend Christine B. for being there for Ruth so she could spend her final time at home.

The Eernisse Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements; online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com .