Ruth Ann Geiger, age 51, of Antigo, died Friday, December 29, 2017 at her home under the care of her family and LeRoyer Hospice after a long courageous battle against brain cancer.
Ruth was born on November 11, 1966 in Chilton to the late Delores (Gruenke) Grube Hephner and Harvey Hephner.
On June 8, 1991 she was united in marriage to Jerry Geiger. They later divorced, remaining friends.
She then began a loving relationship with John Rhode.
Ruth was raised in Chilton and was a graduate of Chilton High School class of 1985. She went on to receive her bachelor degree in education from U-W Green Bay and her master’s degree in education from Viterbo.
She taught at Pleasant View and North Elementary.
Ruth loved being a mother and enjoyed watching her girls play sports. She truly loved her friends, family and her students. She enjoyed traveling and going out to dinner with John.
Ruth is survived by 3 daughters, Alexis (Jackson) Draeger of De Pere, Abigail Geiger of Antigo, Elizabeth Geiger attending U-W Madison, her longtime loving companion, John Rhode, her father Harvey Hephner of Chilton, 2 sisters, Rita Diener of Appleton, Kate (David) Gaines of Wausau, 6 brothers, Wesley Grube of Potter, William (Sue) Grube of New Holstein, Gordon (Julie) Grube of Chilton, Arthur (Arlene) Grube of Westfield, Mike Grube of Chilton, Harvey (Cindy) Hephner of Brothertown, 2 sister-in-laws, Deb (Art) Grube of Whitewater, Carol Grube of New Holstein, her Godchildren, Rebecca Diener, Emily Olson, Diana Wrobleski, and many nieces and nephews.
Ruth was preceded in death by her mother, 2 brothers, Russell and Steven Grube, a brother-in-law, Alan Diener, maternal grandparents Nicholas and Elizabeth Gruenke and paternal grandparents Jay and Zoea Hephner.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 10:00 AM until 12:45 PM in Hoffmann Hall at St. John Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:00 PM at St. John Catholic Church. Father David Schmidt will officiate.
Interment will be in St. Augustine Cemetery in Chilton on Thursday at 10:30 AM.