Marshfield lost one of its oldest residents, Ruby Mary Stargardt, 94. She passed away peacefully in her sleep at Atrium Post Acute Care in Marshfield on October 20, 2017. Ruby was born August 28, 1923 in the town of Marshfield to Lee Glenn and Lucy Ann (Martin) Hartnett and was a graduate of Marshfield Senior High School. She outlived mother 1903-1977 and father 1895-1981, as well as brother Glen 1928-2012 (Marion Kaas) and sisters Grace 1928-2008 (Al Gulden), Ina 1930-1994 (Robert Haley) and Ila 1930-2016 (Al Haehnel). Her siblings were born as two sets of twins. Ruby was the oldest. After her education, she married her first husband, Dale Paul Eggebrecht (1924-1991), son of Carl and Minnie Eggebrecht, also of Marshfield. They were married on June 19, 1943 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church here in Marshfield. Dale and Ruby had four boys, Douglas (Texas), Michael (deceased), Bradley (California) and Jay (Minnesota), all born in Wisconsin. After their marriage ended, Ruby eventually met and married Robert William Stargardt (1921-1983) here in Marshfield. Together they had Ruby's fifth son Scott (Wisconsin). Ruby had several grandchildren. Gabrielle, Dorothy, Douglas Jr., Mark and Deborah (Douglas and Heidi). Kristina (Douglas and Maria). Thomas, Jennifer, Amanda and Andrew (Jay and Ruth). Robert Stargardt (Scott and Veronica). Between those three brothers, Ruby had 11 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and (yes) 12 great great grandchildren. What a legacy. Born a depression-era baby, she was prudent and a survivor through thick and thin, and her sensibilities were passed on to her sons (I still can't throw away a rubber band or brown paper bag). Growing up in the 30's and 40's, Ruby's dad, Lee, ran a DX gas station and bar at what used to be called Klondike Corners where the Highways 10 and 13 intersected. Besides cleaning out the spittoons and sweeping the floors, she sometimes saw old Chicago gangsters filling their jalopies with getaway gas. She was a war volunteer during the Second World War, and often worked jobs while raising her boys as nursing assistant, cashier or baby sitter. Ruby was a wonderful mom and a great cook, kept a clean and safe home for her boys, and where the toilet seat was always left up. She and her siblings, along with their children, created a close family growing up in Marshfield and complete with holiday gatherings, birthday celebrations, family reunions and summer vacations, many of which took place in town, at Richfield Park or their cabin up near the Big Eau Pleine flowage in Marathon County. Meals were often a highlight for all the kids, watching as all the moms prepared incredible feasts like pot roasts, venison, pork chops, dumplings, pies, baked bread and sweet treats, born of their collective German and Irish heritage, while fathers and grandfathers told of tales and adventures or their deer hunting prowess. Good times were had by all. We shall surely miss this wonderful mother. God bless her soul. Graveside Committal at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Marshfield. Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com