Elder Interview-Ruth Ruthie Kerker
A.2008.001.238 PP
Name/Title
Elder Interview-Ruth "Ruthie" KerkerEntry/Object ID
A.2008.001.238Tags
Missing, Needs Accession Sheet, Needs Location, Needs PhotoDescription
Kerker, Ruth "Ruthie" Yvonne (Ninham) Born 02/02/1938 in Tomah Wisconsin Parents: Walter Dorpehl & Melinda (Jourdan) Maternal grandparents: Abraham Ninham and Mary Jane (Doxtator) Ninham Her grandpa Ninham had a little farm on Seminary Road. Lucy Hill raised Melinda when her mother passed away. Her grandma Ninham had 2 brothers, Nelson Ninham and George Ninham. Melinda was raised by different families but she knew who her brothers were. Melinda went to an Indian School (Government School). She only went to 8th grade. Melinda loved baseball. When Melinda had Ruth she didn’t really raise her on the reservation. When Ruth was in kindergarten she was tested and they found that she was deaf. When she was about 14 years old her mother passed away. Ruth was stuck with cleaning and laundry. She also had to take care of her younger sisters plus going to school. Ruth graduated from Green Bay East High School in 1957. She then joined the Air Force. She was in there for 2 years. Her mother passed away in 1953 and her sister’s house burned down. All her sisters got split up. Two got to move in with an Aunt on a farm and the two younger girls were placed on a farm in Seymour. Her father asked for all his kids back. He did get them back but social services were always checking up on them. When Ruth came back home her sisters weren’t allowed to see her. Her sisters came to see Ruth on Halloween and wouldn’t leave. They spent the night with Ruth and ended up going to court and Ruth got custody of her sisters. On November 17th, 1962 Ruth’s Brother David got into a car accident and was killed. Her family belonged to the Holy Apostle’s Church. Ruth married Gilbert Kerker and they have 4 children and 2 grandchildren.Recording Type
Audio/VisualCollection
Elder InterviewsCataloged By
Gerzetich, Courtney (Cottrell)Category
Digital Media, Military