FOREST CITY — Ruth Gurene Gernetzke, 77, of Forest City, died Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.
A funeral service celebrating Ruth’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 22, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City, with Pastor Zech Anderson officiating. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, August 21, at Schott Funeral Homes-Forest City, 505 N. Clark St.
Ruth will be laid to rest at Oakland Cemetery in Forest City following the funeral service.
Ruth was born July 23, 1949, the daughter of Paul and Eva (Erickson) Bartleson. Her life remained closely connected to Forest City, where generations of family, friends and community relationships were part of her story.
She is survived by her husband, Gary Gernetzke of Forest City; her children, Maren of Forest City and David of Clear Lake; her grandson, Isaac Gernetzke of Forest City; and her brothers, Mark Bartleson of Albert Lea, Minnesota, and Joel Bartleson of Forest City.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Michael Gernetzke; her brother, Eric Bartleson; and her sister-in-law, Catherine Bartleson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Bartleson Family Scholarship Fund at Waldorf University in Ruth’s memory.
SCHOTT FUNERAL HOMES-Forest City is handling arrangements. To read more and see the full obituary, please click here.
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