Ruth O'Brien

This is a memory of love, dedication and remembrance of Ruth O’Brien who passed away on December 31st, 2025 at the age of 98 after a short battle with cancer.

Ruth was born on August 11th, 1927, to Clarence & Margaret Holgate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 

Ruth graduated from Shorewood High School and worked for two years at Northwest Insurance Company and the historic Gimbels department store where she was a “Gimbels Girl” modeling new clothing styles and was also featured on the Gimbles float in the Thanksgiving Day parade. She also modeled for Simplicity Patterns. Ruth worked two jobs to save enough money to attend UW Madison and was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority.

While attending UW Madison she met her lifelong love Richard “Dick” O’Brien.  They married in 1950 and moved to Eau Claire. Ruth worked for two years at the US Rubber Company.

Ruth was the proud mother of daughter Nancy (Mosel) and son John O’Brien. Ruth loved the family life. She was the cheerleader for every endeavor her family took on.  Ruth enjoyed socializing, playing bridge, golf, tennis and Tuesday afternoon bowling league with her close friends. She enjoyed volunteering in many groups including the Red Cross, Eau Claire Service League, Meals on Wheels, Luther Hospital Auxiliary, and the Eau Claire Cavaliers.  She would regularly be found helping with concessions at Carson Park and Hobb’s Ice Arena.

Dick was the primary driving force in raising the funds to build the ice arena and the main sheet of ice is named “The O’Brien Rink”.

Ruth is survived by daughter Nancy and son John (Laurel) and grandchildren; Gabe O’Brien, Kyra O’Brien, Joe (Jen) Mosel, Josh (Johannah) Mosel. Great Grandchildren; James Ross (Faith) Mosel, Giselle Mosel, August, Adelaide and Graeme Mosel along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends that touched her life.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dick, brothers, Tom (Louise) Holgate and James-Gib (Marge) Holgate sisters Mary (Fred) Dohmen, Jean Rea (Paul) Pohle, Margaret (Chuck) Sentenne and brother & sister-in-law Betty and Ray Bowers.

Nancy and John want to thank the wonderful staff at Care Partners Country Terrace, Heartland Hospice and caregivers Diane and Amy for the wonderful care and friendship Ruth received.

The family would like to invite you to a celebration of life on Saturday, May 16th 2026 at the Hulke Family Funeral Home, 3209 Rudolph Rd, Eau Claire, WI from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm.  

Friends and family may offer condolences online at www.hulkefamilyfh.com.

Hulke Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701 is assisting the family with the arrangements,