Ruby Alice Achtruth

Ruby Alice Achtruth, 97, was called to be with her Heavenly Father on Monday, Oct. 16, 2017. 

Ruby was born to Paul and Esther Kiesling on Dec. 23, 1919, at their home in Thorndale. She was baptized on Feb. 1, 1920, and confirmed on March 25, 1934, by Rev. F.H. Stelzer of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Thorndale. She graduated from St. Paul Lutheran School on June 14, 1934. Pastor Leo Simon married Ruby and William (Bill) Achtruth on March 4, 1950, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Detmold where they became lifelong members. They made their home in Thorndale where they together operated a meat processing and Bar-B-Que business for 30 years.

Ruby was a gifted seamstress, which enabled her to showcase her talent by making baby garments, school clothes, evening gowns and more for her family.  In addition, she enjoyed embroidery, crocheting and quilt making. As each child and grandchild married she presented them with a quilt made especially for them. 

One of her greatest joys was to plant and tend her garden. She enjoyed preparing the food from the garden for her family along with good ole’ country fried chicken, which everyone raved about.

Ruby was a devoted wife and loving mother.  She worked long hours beside her husband in their business and tended to all the needs of her family.  She looked after her parent’s needs as they aged and later took care of her father until his death.  In addition, she helped each of her children when they were starting their families by teaching all of us how to care for our new babies.  She so loved all of her grandchildren and greatly enjoyed family get togethers.

She is preceded in death by her spouse, William (Bill) Achtruth; parents, Paul and Esther Kiesling; brother, Howard Paul Kiesling; and sister, Irene Theiss.

Ruby is survived by her children, Ronald Bruce Patschke and wife Joyce, Virginia Ann Heine and husband Donny, and Peggy Sue Westbrook and husband John; her grandchildren, Darren Heine and wife Dayna, Dawn Dorsett and husband Paul, Jason Patschke and wife Gina, Kathryn Patschke, Aimee’ Snoddy and husband Kris, Matthew Westbrook and wife Sarah and Tim Westbrook and wife Billie; her great-grandchildren, Zack Heine and wife Audrey, Elise Heine and fiancé Ryan Lawhun, Chase Mahlmann and wife Stephanie, Jacob Dorsett, Jessica Dorsett, Gage Patschke, Dane Patschke, Jade Patschke, Kimber Snoddy, Megan Snoddy, Gunnar Westbrook, Max Westbrook, Nolan Westbrook, Zoey Westbrook and Trent Westbrook; and her great-great-grandchildren:  Adalyn, Cash and Chance.

Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017 at the Providence Funeral Home Chapel.  Celebration of Life Service will begin at 2 p.m.  Burial will follow at the Taylor City Cemetery.