Ruth Mary Hallada

Ruth Mary Hallada passed away peacefully in her home on January 3, 2024. She was born at home in Green Bay, WI to Clarence and Esther Vande Leest on December 22, 1928. As the first born of six girls, Ruth’s childhood was filled with the joys of a close sisterhood. She met her eventual husband, Leon Hallada, across their backyard fences as youth. They married on June 26, 1948 at St. Willebrord Catholic Church, Green Bay, after which they embarked on their “Sentimental Journey” to California, with $50 in their pockets.

Ruth first worked at Wauttums Oil until choosing to stay at home to raise her three children. Later, she returned to work at the Green Bay Diocese, beginning as a bookkeeper under Bishop Aloysius Wycislo and becoming one of the first two women allowed to work inside the Chancery. She then became a Bishop’s executive assistant and worked for Bishops Adam Maida and Robert Banks until she retired in 1994.

She and Lee traveled many places, most memorably to Hawaii and Rome, where they met Pope John Paul II. However, her favorite times were spent making cherished memories with family at the cottage at Kelly Lake, which has been in the family since 1959. 

She enjoyed good health throughout most of her life and was able to celebrate her 90th birthday with an extended family reunion in Green Bay and, recently, her 95th birthday with her immediate family. 

Ruth’s energetic and upbeat outlook on life both lit up rooms and radiated to all around her. Her loving and generous spirit was the foundation of the family she loved so deeply, and she will be missed dearly.

Ruth is preceded in death by her husband, Lee; her parents; her sisters, Janet Vollmar and Marilyn MacDougall; her brothers-in-law, Burt Berglin, Jim Vollmar, Lou MacDougall, and Jack DeMille; and many cherished friends. 

She is survived by her children, Karen McGregor (Dan), Terri Wickman (Dean), Randy Hallada (Merikay Heim); and her sisters, Clarice Berglin, Sandra DeMille and Linda (Arlyn) Ward. Known as “Grandma Ruthie” to many, she will be especially missed by grandchildren Stacie Haworth (Brennan), Katie Wickman (Ann Hillman), Sydney Heim, and Hayley Heim; great-grandchildren, Elyse, Reid, and Julia Haworth; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation will be at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 2597 Glendale Ave., from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 10; followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 1:00 p.m. Entombment will be in Allouez Chapel Mausoleum at a later date.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial may be sent to the family, which will be forwarded to a children’s charity, or to your favorite charity in Ruth’s name.

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