Formerly of Watertown and Jefferson, Wisconsin

Ruth L. Linger, 107, passed away Tuesday, August 23, 2016 in Mt. Morris, Illinois. Ruth was born January 15, 1909 to Rev. Fred J. and Clara L. (Sette) Hoffman in Lane, South Dakota. She married Walter Brooks in 1929 and he preceded her in death in 1938. Ruth and Walter worked on a ranch in Alliance, Nebraska until Walter's death. Then she and her children moved back to Wisconsin to be near family, working various jobs until she met and married Bruno Linger in 1948. Ruth and Bruno owned and operated a neighborhood grocery store, Linger's Grocery, in Watertown, Wisconsin near the old high school until Bruno's death in 1959. Starting in 1959, she worked on an assembly line in the electrical division of a transformer factory, then in 1965 assisted her cousin in operating a Ben Franklin store. In 1966, Ruth worked until her retirement as a nurses aid at the Dane County Hospital. This job was a great challenge yet very rewarding for Ruth. She enjoyed traveling to the western states, crossword puzzles, playing cards, bingo and spending time with her family. In addition to her parents, she is also predeceased by her daughter, Joyce Givens; daughter-in-law, Norma Brooks; sister, Mildred Hoffman; brother, Joyce Hoffman and granddaughter, Kimberly Ann Brooks.

Ruth is survived by her son, Wallace Brooks of Mt. Morris; four grandchildren: Mic (Tracy) Brooks, Lynn Brooks Smith, Jason (Shelly) Givens and Joneen Givens; six great grandchildren: Josh (Sarah) Smith, Justin (Andrea) Smith, Brooke (Chris Cox) Smith, Chad Brooks, Megan Peot and Kaylynn Peot and four great great-grandchildren: Eli Nemitz, Tucker Smith, McKenzie Smith and Owen Schmitz.

A private family memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Concord Methodist Church in Sullivan, WI or to Pinecrest Community in care of the Manor Nursing Home, Mt. Morris, IL 61054. Cremation rites were accorded by the Unger-Horner Funeral Home. Visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.