Genevieve Ruth Hebblewhite's Obituary
Genevieve Ruth Hebblewhite (Gen), age 89, peacefully left this world on March 11th, 2026. Gen passed at her residence of the last 6 years, Dimensions Assisted Living, but her home of heart for over forty years was the family farm in Amherst, WI.
Born on January 20th, 1937, Gen was the eighth of 11 brothers and sisters born to Ralph and Genevieve (Stremkowski) Woyak. As a kid Gen was a confirmed tomboy. She loved sports and was a champ at marbles. Her grade school was St. Stanislaus Catholic and she graduated High School from St. Joseph's Academy for girls. Not long after graduation she moved to Milwaukee and was employed at the Allis-Chalmers plant. There she met Edward (Ed), her husband of 60 years. They were married in Milwaukee February 6, 1960. In the short time before the kids began to arrive Gen and Ed would often stop at Billy Mitchel Field to watch the airplanes come and go. After the first, their four kids arrived in quick succession.
Birthing four children in the span of four years and ten months, Gen was an extremely busy Mom. She was devoted to her husband, kids and grandkids. She was a woman of faith, rarely missing Mass on Sundays and Holy Days. She attended and for a time led the Rosary Group at Dimensions. Gen was a private person who never wanted to be the center of attention. But family and dear friends knew her as a woman of great strength, perseverance, kindness, generosity and thoughtfulness. Gen had a joyous smile and a lovely laugh.
Her love of sport and the outdoors continued into her adult life. She was an ardent fisherwoman, a mean badminton player and a graceful ice skater. She so enjoyed blackberry picking that she was out in the woods picking when she went into labor with her third child. Winning or losing, her support for her team the Green Bay Packers never ever wavered. Local casinos and occasional trips to Las Vegas gave her much enjoyment. As husband Ed loved sweets, she baked many a pie, cake, cookie and bar, making sure there were always treats for Ed and the grandkid's visits. Her preference was for a quiet life but she enjoyed travel with Ed, visiting places far and wide, both domestic and international.
Gen will be deeply missed by her three children, Deborah Hebblewhite of Denver, CO, Arthur (Rebecca) Hebblewhite of Waunakee, WI, and Fred (Lori) Hebblewhite of Waupaca, WI; her daughter-in-law, Theresa Collins of Stevens Point, WI; grandchildren, Grant, Sawyer, Rachael, Olivia, Aaron, Zuri and Elliott Hebblewhite; brothers Ralph and Michael Woyak and sister Elaine (Woyak) Dombrowski. She was preceded in death by her husband Ed; her parents, Ralph and Genevieve Woyak; her son, John Hebblewhite; and siblings Loretta, Delores, Ruth, Myron, Marie, Alvin, and John.
Sincere thanks to Saint Croix Hospice for their empathy and kindness during the most difficult of times. Thanks, is hardly enough for the incredible care providers at Dimensions Living Stevens Point. They came through at every turn when Gen needed them. Please know that you are truly special people and appreciated more than you will ever know.
Gen loved helping others through charitable giving and sponsoring children in other countries. In that vein the family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Stevens Point Meals on Wheels or World Central Kitchen.
A memorial mass will be held on Saturday March 21, 2026 at 11 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church in Amherst, WI. A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday March 21, 2026 from 10 a.m. until the time of the mass at 11 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church in Amherst, WI. The Jungers-Holly Funeral Home of Amherst, WI is assisting the family with arrangements.
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