KIEL (WITI) — A funeral with full military honors was held in Kiel, Wisconsin on Monday evening, May 19th for U.S. Army Sergeant Heidi Ruh.
Ruh, 32, volunteered to go to Kosovo in February 2014. She was fatally shot on May 9th while serving on an Army base in Kosovo.
“It`s a great loss. Those that serve in the military sacrifice a number of years of service of others to defend our country, our freedoms — and unfortunately she`s lost her life while serving in that capacity,” Patriot Guard Senior Ride Captain Michael Weaver said.
Ruh grew up in Kiel — and most recently in Barrington, Illinois. Ruh was a mother of two, and had been in the Army for 11 years. She worked in a medical unit at the time of her death. A visitation was held at St. Peter’s United Church in Christ in Kiel. The funeral was held at 5 p.m. Final entombment took place at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Kohler.
Sgt. Heidi L. Ruh, 32, of Kiel died Friday, May 9, 2014 while serving her country in Kosovo. She was born on August 27, 1981 at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, daughter of Cathi and Scott Ruh. Heidi was a 1999 graduate of Kiel High School. She was a proud member of the U.S. Army serving her country the past 11 years. She was stationed at Ft. Hood TX. In 2011-2012 she served her country in Afghanistan and in February had volunteered to go to Kosovo.
She worked in a medical unit, repairing surgical machines. Heidi received the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal along with numerous Army and Unit Awards.
She was a positive leader and great influence to the many people she touched. She made everyone smile and lit-up the room with her wonderful personality. She had previously been married. Heidi loved spending time with her sons, cooking, baking, traveling and seeing the world through her military career. Survivors include her sons, and their father, her parents, one brother, grandfather, many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Military officials say 32-year-old Sgt. Heidi Ruh from Barrington, Illinois, was found dead on a running track at Camp Bondsteel. Her death was categorized as non-combat related, but there was no public explanation offered to family members as to what led to her shooting death, ABC 7 reported.
