Ruth Wahlstrom Obituary

Ruth Margaret Wahlstrom

Ruth Margaret Wahlstrom, 82, of Tiffin, passed peacefully Saturday, June 14, 2025, at her home.

She was born November 27, 1942, to John A. and Nellie M. (Leuenberger) Wahlstrom in Canby, Minnesota.

Ruth is survived by her long-time friend, Nancy Rubenstein; sister-in-law, Karen Backman; nephews, Stuart (Luisa) Wahlstrom and Stacey (Irmina) Wahlstrom; niece, Dawn (John) Clobes; and eight great-nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Glen and Paul Wahlstrom and sister-in-law, Nellie Wahlstrom.

Ruth grew up in Canby, Minnesota, attending a one-room schoolhouse. She later graduated as Valedictorian of Canby High School in 1960. She received her undergraduate degree from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and earned a Ph.D. in English from the University of Kentucky in 1977.

Ruth joined the faculty of Heidelberg College in 1969 and taught a variety of courses in the English Department, eventually replacing Dr. Frederick Lemke as the campus Shakespeare scholar and British Literature enthusiast. She relished teaching courses in Drama, Canadian and Irish Literature and Modern Women Authors. Despite being known for her dry wit and overly long and difficult exams, her students loved her. One student commented that "passing her Shakespeare class was a rite of passage!" Numerous students remarked on her kindness and said she was their favorite professor. Even students in other majors took her classes because they were fun! She challenged her students to reach their own potential. An avid Minnesota Vikings fan, she enthusiastically supported her student athletes by attending their games and clipping newspaper articles about their successes. Faculty members referred to Ruth as "a great soul and whip smart - a rare combination" and as a" generous and committed colleague who made outsized contributions to the Heidelberg community."

Ruth was the first recipient of the Jane Frost Kalnow Professorship in Humanities Award 2000-02, the Ream-Paradiso Distinguished Teaching Award 2006-07, and the Favorite Faculty Award.

Ruth appreciated the opportunities Heidelberg provided for international travel, which enabled her to teach in China, conduct program evaluations in Japan, and visit nearly 20 countries. An avid attendee of The Ritz and Heidelberg Music and Theater productions, she made regular visits to Stratford and Shaw Theatre Festivals in Canada. After retiring from Heidelberg University in 2013, she added traveling with Allen Eiry Center to her schedule. She was also in three book groups. Ruth was a judge for Ohio Poetry Day and often helped friends and colleagues by providing her "gentle" editing skills to their poetry and manuscripts. She was a long-time member and treasurer of Tiffin-Seneca Martin Luther King Jr. Day Committee.

Memorial service will be in Tiffin, Saturday, September 6, 2025, beginning with visitation at 10 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Life at 11 a.m. at Heidelberg's Herbster Chapel, in Pfleiderer Center, her office building. A lunch will follow the service at the Campus Center, Room 120.

Memorial contribu-tions may be made to Heidelberg University, Allen Eiry Center, Ritz Theatre, or a charity of the donor's choice.

Hoffmann-Gottfried-Mack Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting family with arrangements.

Condolences may be sent and guestbook signed at www.hgmackfuneralhome.com.