Ruth J. Schmidt, age 81, of Stratford, died Thursday, May 24th, 2012, at The House of the Dove in Marshfield, WI. Ruth was born June 18, 1930 in Evanston Illinois, to Herbert and Altine (Wepfer) Stoltzman. Moving to Wisconsin with her family in 1935, Ruth attended school in Colby and graduated from Marshfield Senior High in 1948. She worked for Standard (now BP) Oil in Milwaukee, Minneapolis, and Chicago. She married Melvin H. Schmidt in Chicago on April 1, 1967, at the Sky Chapel of the First Methodist Church. For over 30 years, she and Melvin lived in Stratford and ran Schmidt Real Estate and Appraisal Service from their home and office at 100 Fir Street at the corner of Highways 97 & 153. They retired in 1999. Ruth also worked part-time for the Village of Stratford Water and Electric Department. Ruth was known for her love of kitties, birds and for her beautiful purple and white flowering kale. She donated the Marohl Castle to the Stratford Public Library. A number of people were involved in the restoration; and she was very proud when it was dedicated on May 19, 2005. Survivors include three nephews, Albert (Gai Lynn) Piazza of Snohomish, WA, Phillip (Ginny) Piazza of Renton, WA and David (Kim) Piazza of Dillingham, AK; two aunts Maydell Brockhaus of Abbotsford and Goldy Klepzig of Oreana, IL; one sister-in-law, Bess Schmidt of Wausau, three brothers-in-law, Bill (Mary) Schmidt of Berwyn, IL, Albert (Liz) Schmidt of Mount Prospect, IL and George Schmidt of Stratford; She is further survived by many nieces and nephews of Mel, cousins and special friends. She was predeceased by her husband Melvin on September 21, 2000, parents and sister, Betty Piazza. Funeral Services will be 2:00 pm Friday, June 1, 2012 at Rembs Funeral Home, Marshfield with Pastor Sue Eidahl officiating. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, Marshfield. Serving as pallbearers will be her nephews, Albert, Phillip & David Piazza; Daniel, John & Alan Schmidt. Visitations will be from noon Friday, June 1, 2012 until time of services at Rembs Funeral Home in Marshfield. In lieu of flowers, she has requested that memorials be made to the Salvation Army, Humane Society, the Antigo Raptor Education Group, or Marshfield Medical Research Foundation. Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com