Ruth M. Damschroder

Ruth Damschroder passed away peacefully at age 91, early Sat., Feb. 10, 2018 morning at Promedica Bay Park Hospital, Oregon, OH. She was born on September 9, 1926 at her parent’s home in Rice Twp. Sandusky County, OH to the late Louis R. and Alice M. (Goodeman) Gnepper. Ruth graduated from Oak Harbor High School in 1944 and attended every class reunion held.                                          

At a dance on June 22, 1944 at the Armory in Oak Harbor, she met the love of her life, Glenn F. Damschroder, when he was home on convalescent leave during his service in the U.S. Army. Glenn was invited to the dance by his cousin Albert; Ruth was invited by her cousin Leola, who was dating Albert. Glenn and Ruth married on Sept. 1, 1946 at St. Johns Ev. Lutheran Church, Oak Harbor. Glenn died unexpectedly on Feb. 5, 1969. Ruth worked at Erie Proving Grounds during WWII. She grew up on a farm, and when she married, they moved to Gibsonburg where she spent the rest of her life as housewife, mother, grand and great grandmother.  Ruth excelled in cooking, baking and as a talented seamstress.  Her sewing talent showed in the clothing she made, especially for Jane and Janet, and quilts and other things for the grandchildren.  She was an active member of Zion Ev. Lutheran Church, enjoying "quilting days" and providing one of her special cooked or baked dishes for any given function at the church. She was also active with the Women of the Church. After Glenn's passing, she spent her time and energy raising her 5 children. The past year and a half she spent living independently at the Otterbein Portage Valley Community, Pemberville, OH.

Surviving are her children, James of Woodville, Paul of Helena, Jane (Kevin Diels) of Traverse City, MI, and Gerald of Gibsonburg; grandchildren, Jennifer (Paul) Daubel, Craig (Nicki Madsen) Damschroder, Carrie (Dan) Chambers, Anna (Tim) Sirios, Matthew Damschroder, and Jason Jividen; great grandchildren, Chloe and Rhegan Damschroder, Preston Daubel, Vivian and Lillian Chambers, Ava Sirios, and a baby boy Chambers, due to arrive in April; son-in-law, John Jividen; sisters-in-law, Grace (Franklin) Gnepper, Carolyn (Robert) Gnepper, Nancy (Arthur) Gnepper, and Nancy (Nelson) Gnepper; brothers-in-law, Nelson (Betty) Henry and Dr. Willis (Eva) Damschroder; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Glen; daughter, Janet (died 7/26/2001); and siblings, Robert, Franklin, Nelson, Arthur, and Betty.

Friends and family will be invited to the Herman-Veh Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Gibsonburg on Thurs., Feb. 15, 2018 from 3-8 p.m. Funeral Services for Ruth will be held at Zion Ev. Lutheran Church on Fri., Feb. 16th at 10:30 a.m. where her body will lie in state one hour prior to the start of the service.

Pastor Blair Miller will officiate. Burial will follow at West Union Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Zion Ev. Lutheran Church, Gibsonburg, OH or Otterbein Portage Valley benevolent care fund.