Ruth Mae Stiehl

Ruth Stiehl, 96, of Wanamingo; a loving, kind, patient and courageous wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, friend and teacher died on May 16, 2025.

Born Ruth Mae Hemmy on January 27, 1929 to Wallace and Cora (Barger) Hemmy in Humbird, Wis. She grew up on the family farm with her 3 brothers. It was there that she developed her love of all animals, but especially the work horses. Her love of horses continued throughout her life.

Ruth married Wayne Stiehl on September 9, 1950 in Mondovi, Wis. After several year, they settled in Wanamingo, Minn. where they raised their four children. A cabin in Grand Rapids, Minn. became a big part of their family life.

After raising their family to school age, Ruth returned to college at the age of 36 to get her education degree. She graduated college and began a 27-year career teaching hundreds of kindergarten children at Cannon Falls school.

When she retired, she started many new adventures: traveling the country and the world with friends and her cousin, Alice, spending time in the winter with her son in Hawaii, playing bridge, line dancing, participating in many church activities at Trinity Lutheran Church in Wanamingo, and enjoying her pet birds.

During all of these activities she always found time to spend with her family. Her delicious cakes and macadamia nut cookies were always appreciated. Involving her grandchildren in the raising and showing of her miniature horses gave her and the kids great joy.

Ruth will be greatly missed by her four children, Lynn (Dave) Buehler of Zumbrota, Minn., Carol (Ronald) Trelstad of West Concord, Minn., Philip (Leanne) Stiehl of Kaneohe Hawaii, and James (Karen) Stiehl of Cannon Falls, Minn.; her nine grandchildren, Amanda, Emily, Leon, Patrick, Rebekah, Samantha, Lauren, Madelyn, and Zach; and twelve great-grandchildren, Cole, Corey, Jackson, Tessa, Emma, Conner, Mason, Zoe, Caiden, Henry, Isabelle, and Wayne; and her brother, Ronald (Sharon) Hemmy of Madison, Wis.

Ruth is preceded in death by her husband, Wayne; parents, Wallace and Cora; and two brothers, Darle and Dale Hemmy.

A celebration of life will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Wanamingo with Rev. David Sorenson officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at church. Burial will be at Fort Snelling at a later date. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements with Mahn Family Funeral Home, Larson Chapel.