Ruth A. Greenwood

Ruth Anne Greenwood, of Waukesha, died on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at the age of 87. She was born in Thompson, Nebraska on August 7, 1939, the daughter of Frank and Lola (nee Glass) Van Waning. On August 11, 1957, she married Danford “Dan” Greenwood in Mahaska, Kansas. Music was one of Ruth's great gifts. An accomplished pianist and organist, she played for many church services over the years. Her Christian faith was the center of her life, and she was a devoted member of Methodist congregations in every community she called home. Ruth served many funeral luncheons and was active with the United Methodist Women. Ruth had a special calling to comfort others through grief, offering the kind of quiet presence that people remembered long afterward.

She was a member of D.J. Martin American Legion Post 8 Auxiliary. For many years she was a trust officer at M&I Bank in West Bend, retiring in 1998.

Left with wonderful memories are her children Mark (Janell) Greenwood, Jodi (Steven) Hammer and Philip Greenwood; grandchildren Lauren (Patrick) Schaefer, Kristen (William) Hardin and Susan (Neil) Greenwald; great-grandchildren Katherine Schaefer, Olivia, Emily, Jenna, Kaylee and Lucy Greenwald and Luke, Timothy and Evalynne Hardin; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Dan on November 8, 2018 and her siblings Karen Cacek, Viola Hamilton and Dellene Austerman and 7 step brothers and sisters.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 9, 2026 from 8:30 a.m. until the 9:30 a.m. funeral service at First United Methodist Church, 121 Wisconsin Ave. Waukesha. Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. at Southern WI Veterans Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to First United Methodist Church, (address above) for the pastors fund or spiritual formation.