Ruth E. Zerfas, of West Bend, was born to Eternal Life on Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at Cedar Lake Health and Rehabilitation Center in West Bend, after a courageous battle with cancer. Ruth was born to her earthly life on April 2, 1943 in Escanaba, MI, to Hamilton and Alyce (Leduc) LeBlanc. She and her family resided in the small town of Kingsford, MI, where she spent her childhood and attended grade school and high school.

After graduation from high school, she attended and graduated from St. Joseph Hospital School of Radiology in Milwaukee. With her degree in X-ray Technology, Ruth worked at the St. Anthony Hospital in Milwaukee and later for two orthopedic surgeons in Wauwatosa.

Ruth and Donald Zerfas married on August 19, 1967 at the American Martyrs' Catholic Church in Kingsford. They resided in Milwaukee for a short time before settling in West Bend, where they lived, loved, worked, and raised their three children. While her children were young, Ruth chose not to work outside the home, but, when they were in school, she returned to the workforce and began her second career at the West Bend Public Library. She wore many hats while employed there and saw many changes, including the implementation of automation and the building of the new library. Upon retirement, one of her favorite pastimes was playing Mah Jongg and Bridge with her dear friends.

During Ruth's life, she filled many roles—daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, caregiver, volunteer, and Child of God. She was a 43-year member of St. Frances Cabrini Parish where she was at one time active in Christian Women, the annual rummage sale, and Pastoral Care Commission. In 2008, Ruth was instrumental in forming the Prayer Shawl Ministry. She had also been a faithful volunteer in the parish office for 15 years.

Those Ruth leaves behind to mourn her passing are her husband Don, children, Eric (Beth), Bethany (Chris) Ames, and Gregory (Kallie), and grandchildren, Zachary, Ashley, and Jacob Zerfas, Harriet and Abigail Ames, and Chet Zerfas, a brother, Bruce (Carolyn) LeBlanc, brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert (Patricia) Zerfas, Gene Lauer, Evelyn (William) Lynch, Doris Zerfas, Evelyn Zerfas, an aunt, Shirley Cloutier, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Ruth was particularly fond of her many cousins from Canada and northern Minnesota with whom she had connected early during her retirement while doing genealogy for several branches of her family. Meeting those "lost" cousins in person were some of her most cherished memories.

The Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the Phillip Funeral Home Chapel (1420 W. Paradise Dr., West Bend) with a Prayer Vigil at 7:00 PM. A second visitation will be held Wednesday, May 28, 2014 from 10:00 AM until 10:45 AM at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church (1025 S 7th Ave, West Bend). A Mass of Resurrection will follow at church at 11:00 AM with Fr. Nathan Reesman presiding. Memorials in Ruth's name may be made to St. Frances Cabrini Parish. The family requests that no flowers be sent. Interment will take place at Washington County Memorial Park.

The family would like to thank all the staff at Cedar Crossing for the wonderful care and attention they gave to Ruth.