Ruth Alton Averkamp

Shullsburg, Wisconsin Ruth Alton (Milner) Averkamp, August 19, 1930 - July 20, 2017, passed peacefully at home with her children by her side. A Celebration of Christian Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 24, 2017, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Benton with Rev. David Flanagan officiating. A dinner and time of social fellowship will follow. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 2-6 p.m. Sunday at Casey Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Benton where the parish wake service will be at 1:45 p.m. Friends may also call from 9:15-10:15 a.m. Monday at the church before the service. Ruth was born to John Alton "Kelly" and Regina Pearl (McGuire) Milner of Benton, Wisconsin. For 59 years, she was married to Dennis Averkamp, who preceded her to eternal life on July 17, 2011. Ruth and Dennis were faithful partners in managing their family farm between Benton and Shullsburg from 1962 to 2011. She loved homemaking, gardening, cooking, canning, playing cards, fishing, and too many family activities to mention in a brief narrative. Their farm and home were often the gathering place for holidays, parties, card clubs, Hawaiian luaus, and other social activities. Ruth is survived by her children, Lonnie (Marilyn) Averkamp, of Golden, Mississippi, Debra Averkamp (fiancé Ronald Lind), of Shullsburg, Patricia (Kurt) Grover, of Benton, and Paula Averkamp (fiancé Jeff Marsh), of Oshkosh; grandchildren, John Averkamp, Joseph Averkamp, Alicia (Jared) Fluhr, James Farrey, Kevin (Erin) Farrey, Erin Malone, Lauren Malone, Megan Malone, and Darya Averkamp; great-grandchildren, Brooklyn Fluhr, Will and Ava Farrey, sisters, Jean Hamm, of Stevens Point, Margaret Griffin, of Benton and Barbara Lange, Darlington; and numerous nieces and nephews. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, John "Kelly" and Regina Milner, brothers, John and Paul Milner, and sister, Esther Hinger. The family would like to express heartfelt gratitude to Upland Hills Hospice and Manor Care of Platteville for their compassionate care along with our sister, Debra, who devoted herself to making it possible for Ruth to receive her wish of passing in the cozy comfort of her own home.