Date of Death: December 9, 2021
Service Details
Private family graveside services will be held, and a memorial service planned for the spring.
Obituary Notice
Ruth Ida (Schwab) Walter, 85, passed Dec. 9, 2021.
Ruth was born Oct. 7, 1936 in Kansas City, KS, the daughter of Ernest and Ruth (Johnson) Schwab. She grew up in Moorepark, raised by her grandparents, Willie & Ida Schoppe.
She married William A. Walter on Mar. 14, 1954.
She graduated from Three Rivers High School.
She worked at Don’s Furniture City, Wolf’s Floor Coverings and as a waitress at Russ’ Restaurant in Portage.
She was a member of St. Peters Evangelical Lutheran Church, where she served on many committees. For many years she would take on the responsibility to help organize & make the food for the bloodmobile, specializing in her delicious ham & egg salad, as well as working on many years of funeral luncheons.
Ruth was also an artist, specifically into oil & watercolor painting. She loved sharing her work with family and friends to enjoy. Bill & her also did many woodworking projects where he would do the wood part and she would do the painting/decorating part.
Ruth’s true nature was to always be teaching & giving to others. You never left her house without her sending something home. She loved to make cookies with that “Ruthie twist,” never exactly what a recipe called for! Her mission was always to have us kids and her precious grandkids cooking & baking alongside her.
She and Bill had a love for travel and visited many states, friends and relatives.
Mom’s unique quality was making up new pronunciations for words and names. She kept us pretty much in stitches with the things she would come up with. She came up with creative words to replace everyday words … like TT, that we still all use today.
Remaining to cherish her memory are daughters Janice Ashley and Lucinda (David) Walter; son William Scott (Diana) Walter; grandchildren Amber (Trent) Walter-Babcock, Karla (Jonathan) Booko, M. Alex Ashley, Kathryn (Jayson) Gesmundo, Paula Boyer and Pamela (Steven) Riggs; great-grandchildren Andrew, Tommy, Zayden, Julia, Kassandra, John, Taven, Lincoln, Jack, Alexa, Kyle, Leo, Zoey and Asher; sister, Lou Cafourek; brothers, Everett Lee (Evalena) Hollibaugh, Kris Edge and Thomas (Karen) Schwab; brothers-in-law, James (Delores) Walter and James Smith; and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bill, sisters Debora Smith and Emily Couch; sister-in-law Roberta Walter; cousins Hilma (Joe) Gherna and Bill (Lois) Schoppe.
Additional Information
Donations in Ruth’s memory may be directed to St. Peters Evangelical Lutheran Church or Rose Arbor Hospice. Envelopes are available at Hohner Funeral Home in care of her arrangements.
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My heart truly goes out to Lucinda and her family . . 🌹
I remember Ruth during my growing up years with Lucinda all those many years ago . She was always right on top of things ready to lend a hand especially dedicated to church and family.
She and Bill raised wonderful children , and I was fortunate to have Lucinda as a dear friend for many, many years .
My love and prayers go out to you all ! Please know I’ll be remembering you in thought and prayer ! . . GOD BLESS ! . . ✝️
David, Lucinda & family,
We are so very sorry for your loss.
I will always remember Miss Walters
smile & quick wit!
May the many memories comfort you during this difficult time.
Our thoughts & prayers are with you.
David & Denise Miller
Bill and Ruthie, we’re my second parents growing up. I remember Ruthie was always willing to do something fun. We painted and made cookies and she even rode her bike with me. One of my fondest memories was finding 5 Puppies in the ditch next to the road. The puppies were healthy and ready to be adopted. I went right to Ruthie to ask for her help and she found homes for all the puppies and kept one for herself.
Bill and Ruthie are two of the most wonderful people I’ve ever known . They made the world a better place. I will miss them so much. My heart goes out to their family.
WE lived next door to Bill and Ruth on SIX MILE LAKE in Ellsworth, Mi. for many years. Ruth was so very kind and always there if you needed ANYTHING. Bill was equally kind. Ruth leaves many friends and a very dear, kind family. To know Ruth was to LOVE her……..Sharron Grinwis
I have known the Walters for long time. I am sad to see her go, but she did live a long and happy life. My condolences to the family.
Now Ruth can be with Bill again. I have known bill and Ruth many years and can say without hesitation they were two of the finest people I have ever known. I wish we had a nation of people like them, honest hard working people. My condolences to their family. Their family can be very proud to say they were part of the Walter family. Rest in peace Bill and Ruth.